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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
How Board Games Are Making a Big Comeback Through Digital
In an era defined by lightning-fast mobile games, few would expect humble board games to mount a comeback, that alone in digital format. Yet, quietly and steadily, they are, and in ways no one could have predicted. No longer confined to cardboard and tokens, modern board games are entering the online space, transforming into interactive, community-driven digital experiences. From mobile apps and browser-based platforms to multiplayer simulators and hybrid board-digital formats, the board game revival is not just happening in spite of digital gaming; it's thriving because of it. Digital Nostalgia: A Surprising Catalyst Contrary to the belief that digital technology kills traditional formats, it's fueling their evolution. In recent years, developers and publishers have reimagined board games like ludo as part of the broader digital ecosystem. The result? A fusion of nostalgia and innovation. Classic titles like Carrom, Chess, and Ludo have already cemented their place as top-grossing mobile apps. People crave a mental break from hyper-speed video games. Digital board games provide that, with focused strategy, and slower, meaningful play. Board Games Meet the Online Community The social aspect of board games is a big part of their charm, and digital versions are doubling down on that. During the pandemic, virtual board games, especially ludo games, exploded the nights when all would sit together or even apart and play ludo online with people from other parts of the nation. Now, even post-lockdown, many players continue to prefer digital tabletop sessions for their convenience, multiplayer capabilities, and ease of learning. India's Online Gaming Culture is Evolving India's online gaming boom, led by mobile-first platforms, fantasy cricket apps, and casual gaming, is now broadening to include digital board games. The numbers back it up: Google Play Store data shows over 500 million downloads of Ludo-based apps alone. Even lesser-known games like Indian-themed card strategies and mythology-based tiles games are seeing niche traction. But this is just the beginning. Startups are combining Indian storytelling with digital interfaces. Some are even adding regional language support and audio-guided tutorials to make games more accessible across demographics. Not Just Play, But Learning and Therapy Digital board games aren't only for entertainment. Educators, mental health professionals, and corporate trainers are embracing them too. Educational platforms now use online games like Mathopoly (math-based Monopoly), Financial Wisdom (budgeting and investment-themed gameplay), and quiz-based co-ops for blended learning. In classrooms, apps like Quizizz and PlayPosit gamify subject material, but structured board-style simulations are proving even more effective in soft skill development. Challenges to the Board Game Boom Despite the momentum, digital board games face several challenges. 1. Steep Learning Curves: Many games come with long rulebooks and complex setups. While physical play allows more natural learning, digital versions often lose new players in menus and mechanics. 2. Discoverability: Unlike mainstream mobile games, board games remain a niche in app stores. Many quality games go unnoticed without strong influencer support or curated platforms. 3. Lack of Localization: Indian gamers often find limited options in regional languages or culturally relevant themes. While the scene is improving, more efforts are needed to include India's linguistic and cultural diversity. The Game That Redefined Digital Board Gaming in India No board game has ridden the wave of digital transformation in India quite like Ludo. Once a simple family pastime played during summer vacations on living room floors, Ludo has become a digital gaming phenomenon. What's fascinating is not just the popularity of these apps, but how they've redefined what board games can mean in a digital age. 1. Ludo's Mobile Makeover: Accessibility First Ludo's success in digital gaming circles is largely due to how easily it transitioned to smartphones. The game's simple mechanics — roll dice, move tokens, race to home, are intuitive for all age groups. Developers turned this simplicity into a strength, removing setup time, automating turns, and offering matchmaking with strangers or friends. This frictionless entry allowed millions, including people who had never tried digital games before, to become active online players. 2. Social Gaming, Reimagined Digital Ludo apps add transforming a simple game into a socially immersive experience. In a country like India, where joint families, long-distance friendships, and social gaming culture are deeply rooted, this felt natural. 'During the pandemic, playing Ludo wasn't just entertainment. It became our evening ritual with friends, cousins and social stickiness turned Ludo from a casual game into a cultural phenomenon in the digital world. 3. Tournaments, Cash Play & Real Rewards With the rise of real-money gaming platforms, Ludo evolved even further. Ludo apps have introduced cash contests, daily leaderboards, and skill-based tweaks. Suddenly, a game once played with cowrie shells became a competitive digital sport — with real-world stakes. Players now enter Ludo tournaments with opportunity to win real cash rewards , bringing the fantasy sports energy into board gaming. This model blurred the lines between casual fun and serious gaming, helping Ludo tap into the booming online gaming economy. 4. Reintroducing Board Games to Gen Z Perhaps Ludo's biggest impact has been cultural. It reintroduced the idea of board gaming to a new generation — not through cardboard, but through code. For many younger players, digital Ludo was their first experience with turn-based, strategic gameplay that wasn't part of a traditional video game. This exposure has served as a gateway drug into the broader world of online board gaming. Many who started with Ludo are now exploring more complex titles like Chess, Monopoly Go, Uno, and eventually, games like Catan or Carcassonne on platforms like Board Game Arena. 5. Setting the Blueprint for Future Indian Board Games The success of digital Ludo has shown Indian game developers that there is a massive untapped market for culturally resonant, skill-friendly, multiplayer board games. We're already seeing experimental titles emerge that build on this momentum — from Indian Rummy apps with rich story arcs, to mythology-themed board games with digital overlays. Ludo has essentially opened the doors for the 'desi-fication' of online board gaming, where traditional Indian games are modernized and made mobile-friendly without losing their essence. Disclaimer: This article is sponsored content curated by HT Syndication. The inputs and details accounted for in the article do not necessarily reflect those of HT, and HT does not endorse or assume any responsibility for the information provided. Want to get your story featured as above? click here! First Published Date: 19 Jun, 09:59 IST
Time of India
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
10 flowering vegetables and herbs that will bring colour and flavour to your garden
Gardening is a fun activity to grow edible food in the purest way without any kind of chemicals involved in it. Thus, we can also create a vibrant and colorful space by growing radiant vegetables in our garden. These vegetables add blossoms to the garden. From adding peas to lavender, these flowering vegetables and herbs can transform your garden besides offering fresh ingredients for your kitchen. Here is the list of 10 stunning flowering vegetables and herbs by Food Gardening Network that are perfect to brighten your garden and enrich your harvest. 10 flowering vegetables and herbs that you need in your garden Squash Squash is a delicious vegetable which is also a beautiful flowering plant which can be a perfect choice for gardening as it can add vibrant color to your garden because they have bright yellow or orange blossoms which are large and are eye-catching too. Thus, they also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Also, these edible flowers can also be used for various purposes like cooking as they offer a delicate and slightly sweet flavor. Squash plants have lush green leaves and showy blooms which makes them a fantastic choice for gardeners as they attract both beauty and bounty in one plant. Source: Chrissie's kitchen Okra Okra is a heat-loving vegetable which is known for its edible seed pods. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo Beside this fact, it has large and delicate flowers that are just as impressive and looks quite fascinating too. They are in pale yellow color that is combined with a deep red or purple center that add a splash of color and elegance to any garden. These beautiful flowers also attract pollinators that help to improve the overall health of a garden. Beyond its visual appeal, they are a nutritious addition to many dishes that make this plant both a combination of beauty and tasty harvests. Source: Burpee seeds Peas Peas are charming vegetables that produce delicate and fragrant flowers which can brighten up the garden and are eye appealing too. Their blossom range creates a lovely natural decoration. Also, these flowers attract beneficial pollinators and also tell about the start of a fruitful harvest. They thrive in cooler weather and are the perfect choice for gardeners who want a combination of beauty and bounty with a touch of elegance and fresh flavor in the garden space. Source: Indiatimes Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans contain tasty pods that are combined with vibrant and scarlet-red flowers that create a striking visual display which can be a stunning option for gardening . Thus, it can help in boosting the overall health as it helps in attracting the pollinators that increases the productivity of the garden space. Beyond their beauty, the beans are delicious in taste and are nutritious as well which makes Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans a perfect choice for gardeners who are seeking both colorful charm and flavorful harvests. Source: The rocket Lavender Lavender is a fragrant herb which is popular for its beautiful purple flowers that adds both color and scent to your garden. Though they are not a vegetable, their flowering nature and culinary uses make them a wonderful companion plant. It is true that it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies that are beneficial for the health of the garden as well. Also, they are easy to grow and they also have a unique quality that they are drought-tolerant which makes them different from others and also helps in longer survival also. It also brings elegance, fragrance and a touch of magic to any garden space and is easy to handle as well. Source: Nursery live Dill Dill is a fragrant herb which is known for its feathery leaves and striking yellow-green colored flower clusters that are in umbrella shape. These delicate flowers add a unique texture and brightness to your garden and are also beneficial as they attract insects that help in controlling the pests. Though they are eye appealing, on the other hand, they also add a fresh and tangy flavor to dishes and pickles as well. They are easy to grow and are a fantastic choice for gardeners too. Source: HGTV Dandelions Dandelions have bright yellow flowers that are beautiful and are also beneficial for the garden because they attract pollinators by their cheerful blooms that support the ecosystem too. Every part of the dandelion plant is edible starting from the roots to the leaves and flowers which makes it versatile and unique. Due to its resilience and vibrant blossoms, dandelion is a natural addition which can be valuable to any garden as it is primarily focused on beauty and edible plants. Thus, it is a great option to add in your garden. Source: Gardener's path Radishes Radishes are root vegetables that are quick growing and are known for their texture and flavor. Thus the small and star-shaped blossoms tend to add a subtle charm to your garden and will also help to attract pollinators that will help to improve the overall health of the plant. Therefore, growing radishes in the garden will not only give you tasty roots but it will also add a floral beauty to your garden which makes them a great choice for gardeners as it plays different functions that are beneficial in different ways. Source: GardeningSG Chives Chives are herbs that are versatile and are popularly known for their slender green stalks and delightful purple-pink flowers because its round blooms will add a pop of color and texture to the garden that will help in attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators that are important. Its flowers and leaves are edible and can be consumed as it contains a mild onion flavor which is perfect for salads, soups and garnishes. They are easy to grow in many climates and bring beauty, fragrance and fresh flavor to your garden. Source: Better homes & gardens Sunflower Sunflowers are popularly known for their tall stems and large bright yellow flowers that will instantly add a pop of color to the garden. Besides this fact, they are nutritious and delicious too and attract a wide range of pollinators as well. Their presence can add bold color and height to vegetable gardens which makes them an excellent choice for gardening. Thus, they are visually appealing and also support garden health that balance the qualities like beauty and beneficial functions. Source: Ugaoo Also read: From batteries to juice boxes: 10 common items that you should not recycle One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Firms led by US military veterans deliver aid in Africa and Gaza, alarming humanitarian groups
AI- Generated Image On a plane over Upper Nile State (South Sudan), Jun 18 Swooping low over the banks of a Nile River tributary, an aid flight run by retired American military officers released a stream of food-stuffed sacks over a town emptied by fighting in South Sudan, a country wracked by conflict. Last week's air drop was the latest in a controversial development - private contracting firms led by former US intelligence officers and military veterans delivering aid to some of the world's deadliest conflict zones, in operations organised with governments that are combatants in the conflicts. The moves are roiling the global aid community, which warns of a more militarised, politicised and profit-seeking trend that could allow governments or combatants to use life-saving aid to control hungry civilian populations and advance war aims. In South Sudan and Gaza, two for-profit US companies led by American national security veterans are delivering aid in operations backed by the South Sudanese and Israeli governments. The American contractors say they're putting their security, logistics and intelligence skills to work in relief operations. Fogbow, the US company that carried out last week's air drops over South Sudan, says it aims to be a "humanitarian" force. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo "We've worked for careers, collectively, in conflict zones. And we know how to essentially make very difficult situations work," said Fogbow President Michael Mulroy, a retired CIA officer and former senior defence official in the first Trump administration, speaking on the airport tarmac in Juba, South Sudan's capital. But the UN and many leading non-profit groups say US contracting firms are stepping into aid distribution with little transparency or humanitarian experience, and, crucially, without commitment to humanitarian principles of neutrality and operational independence in war zones. "What we've learned over the years of successes and failures is there's a difference between a logistics operation and a security operation, and a humanitarian operation," said Scott Paul, a director at Oxfam America. "Truck and chuck' doesn't help people," Paul said. "It puts people at risk." We don't want to replace any entity' Fogbow took journalists up in a cargo plane to watch their team drop 16 tons of beans, corn and salt for South Sudan's Upper Nile state town of Nasir. Residents fled homes there after fighting erupted in March between the government and opposition groups. Mulroy acknowledged the controversy over Fogbow's aid drops, which he said were paid for by the South Sudanese government. But, he maintained: "We don't want to replace any entity" in aid work. Shared roots in Gaza and US intelligence Fogbow was in the spotlight last year for its proposal to use barges to bring aid to Gaza, where Israeli restrictions were blocking overland deliveries. The United States focused instead on a US military effort to land aid via a temporary pier. Since then, Fogbow has carried out aid drops in Sudan and South Sudan, east African nations where wars have created some of the world's gravest humanitarian crises. Fogbow says ex-humanitarian officials are also involved, including former UN World Food Program head David Beasley, who is a senior adviser. Operating in Gaza, meanwhile, Safe Reach Solutions, led by a former CIA officer and other retired US security officers, has partnered with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed nonprofit that Israel says is the linchpin of a new aid system to wrest control from the UN, which Israel says has been infiltrated by Hamas, and other humanitarian groups. Starting in late May, the American-led operation in Gaza has distributed food at fixed sites in southern Gaza, in line with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stated plan to use aid to concentrate the territory's more than 2 million people in the south, freeing Israel to fight Hamas elsewhere. Aid workers fear it's a step toward another of Netanyahu's public goals, removing Palestinians from Gaza in "voluntary" migrations. Since then, several hundred Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded in near daily shootings as they tried to reach aid sites, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Witnesses say Israeli troops regularly fire heavy barrages toward the crowds in an attempt to control them. The Israeli military has denied firing on civilians. It says it fired warning shots in several instances, and fired directly at a few "suspects" who ignored warnings and approached its forces. It's unclear who is funding the new operation in Gaza. No donor has come forward, and the US says it's not funding it. In response to criticism over its Gaza aid deliveries, Safe Reach Solutions said it has former aid workers on its team with "decades of experience in the world's most complex environments" who bring "expertise to the table, along with logisticians and other experts." South Sudan's people ask: Who's getting our aid drops? Last week's air drop over South Sudan went without incident, despite fighting nearby. A white cross marked the drop zone. Only a few people could be seen. Fogbow contractors said there were more newly returned townspeople on previous drops. Fogbow acknowledges glitches in mastering aid drops, including one last year in Sudan's South Kordofan region that ended up with too-thinly-wrapped grain sacks split open on the ground. After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has struggled to emerge from a civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people. Rights groups say its government is one of the world's most corrupt, and until now has invested little in quelling the dire humanitarian crisis. South Sudan said it engaged Fogbow for air drops partly because of the Trump administration's deep cuts in US Agency for International Development funding. Humanitarian Minister Albino Akol Atak said the drops will expand to help people in need throughout the country. But two South Sudanese groups question the government's motives. "We don't want to see a humanitarian space being abused by military actors under the cover of a food drop," said Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a local civil society group. Asked about suspicions the aid drops were helping South Sudan's military aims, Fogbow's Mulroy said the group has worked with the UN World Food Program to make sure "this aid is going to civilians." "If it wasn't going to civilians, we would hope that we would get that feedback, and we would cease and desist," Mulroy said. In a statement, WFP country director Mary-Ellen McGroarty said: "WFP is not involved in the planning, targeting or distribution of food air-dropped" by Fogbow on behalf of South Sudan's government, citing humanitarian principles. A business-driven model' Long time humanitarian leaders and analysts are troubled by what they see as a teaming up of warring governments and for-profit contractors in aid distribution. When one side in a conflict decides where and how aid is handed out, and who gets it, "it will always result in some communities getting preferential treatment," said Jan Egeland, executive director of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Sometimes, that set-up will advance strategic aims, as with Netanyahu's plans to move Gaza's civilians south, Egeland said. The involvement of soldiers and security workers, he added, can make it too "intimidating" for some in need to even try to get aid. Until now, Western donors always understood those risks, Egeland said. But pointing to the Trump administration's backing of the new aid system in Gaza, he asked: "Why does the US want to support what they have resisted with every other war zone for two generations?" Mark Millar, who has advised the UN and Britain on humanitarian matters in South Sudan and elsewhere, said involving private military contractors risks undermining the distinction between humanitarian assistance and armed conflict. Private military contractors "have even less sympathy for a humanitarian perspective that complicates their business-driven model," he said. "And once let loose, they seem to be even less accountable."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Justin Steele's injury exposes Cubs' risky strategy as ESPN delivers brutal reality check on Jed Hoyer
Justin Steele's injury exposes Cubs' risky strategy as ESPN delivers brutal reality check on Jed Hoyer (Image via Getty) The Chicago Cubs started this season with big hopes. Their pitching looked strong, their lineup had balance, and fans expected a deep playoff run. But something unexpected changed everything. Now, the front office is under the spotlight, and all eyes are on Cubs president Jed Hoyer. A recent message from ESPN is only adding to the urgency and fans are wondering what happens next. Jed Hoyer slammed after Justin Steele injury reveals shaky foundation of Chicago Cubs roster Injury has kept one of the Cubs' best pitchers, Justin Steele, off the mound since early June 2025. His absence has left the team's rotation quite open. Without him, the Cubs have had to count on Ben Brown, whose ERA is 5. 71, and Colin Rea, who has had problems with reliability. — msports_all (@msports_all) This has affected the team's strength on the field. Even though the Cubs have a great record — 44 wins and 28 losses as of mid-June — many experts think their pitching is not strong enough to win in the playoffs. Buster Olney, a top ESPN baseball reporter, wrote in a recent article that the Cubs' problem is clear. He said, 'Chicago is so good… the question for Hoyer is not if the Cubs will make the playoffs, but how they'll win when it matters most.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo This means just getting into the playoffs is not enough anymore. Jed Hoyer's next move could shape Cubs' whole season On Monday, June 17, 2025, Bruce Levine, a veteran MLB insider, spoke on 670 The Score's 'Mully & Haugh Show' in Chicago. He said the trade market is ready and that it's time for Jed Hoyer to act. Levine mentioned, 'I've been talking to a lot of people over the last four or five days… and everybody says it's there for Hoyer.' Also Read: ' Getting Another Opinion': Cubs' Manager Craig Counsell Reacts On Justin Steele's Elbow Injury Levine also said the Cubs have money to spend. Because they didn't give big contracts to players like Cody Bellinger or Rafael Devers, the front office now has extra funds, nearly $120 million. That could help them trade for a new top pitcher or maybe even a strong batter. With a big series against the Milwaukee Brewers coming up, this week could be very important. Fans, media, and other teams are watching to see if Hoyer will make a bold move or wait too long.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
We laid mattresses to save lives, recalls MBBS student from Rajkot
Ahmedabad: On June 12, when the Air India 171 plane crashed into the Atulyam hostel complex in Meghaninagar, it didn't just rip through concrete and steel — it froze time, and left behind stories of courage, chaos, and quiet miracles. For 20-year-old Parth Solanki, a first-year MBBS student from Rajkot, it was supposed to be just another lunch break. Seated in the mess hall with 25 of his hostel mates, the son of a imitation jewellery worker never imagined his world would be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. "The wall behind me shook... then came this deafening sound. The entire hall exploded into dust, screams, and darkness," Parth recalls. Flames blocked the mess from one side — where a gas cylinders had caught fire — while the other side was buried in wreckage from the fallen aircraft and debris of damaged building. "We were trapped. Everything went silent for a moment — then came the panic." As the smoke thinned, Parth and a few senior students stumbled toward the staircase, clearing a narrow path through broken furniture and twisted metal. "We found a way out. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo Somehow, we made it out... just minutes before another portion of the ceiling gave in," he said. But the nightmare wasn't over. From the courtyard, the students could hear desperate cries from the upper floors where some of their friends were still stuck as plane wreckage blocked the exit. "There was no time to wait," Parth said. "We just started shouting names, trying to find who was where, making sure no one was alone." They grabbed mattresses from nearby hostel rooms, carried them on shoulders and scooters, and rushed to place them under the mess windows. They then asked their friends to jump on the mattresses. And their friends jumped onto the makeshift cushions, into safety. "Some landed hard, some were bruised. But they lived," said Parth."We did what we had to. If we hadn't, I don't know if we would be here." "It feels like a miracle. Somehow, in the middle of flames, metal, screams, and smoke we made it out alive," he said, still shaken by the incident.
