HYDERABAD: Is the United States’ loss turning into New Zealand’s gain? City-based consultancies certainly think so.
According to them, the island nation has seen a sharp 300% rise in enquiries from local students seeking overseas higher education opportunities-a surge linked largely to recent changes in US immigration norms.
Breaking from tradition, many Hyderabad students are now considering courses in dairy and agricultural sciences in New Zealand, in addition to the usual tech-related programmes, consultancies said.
‘No mood for risks’
“This shift is primarily due to the changing situation in the US, as well as in Canada and the UK. Students are in no mood to take any risks by heading to these countries and are exploring safer options like New Zealand, Australia, and Germany,” said Ajaya Kumar Vemulapati, who runs an overseas education consultancy in the city. Ajaya Kumar noted that enquiries for New Zealand have jumped from about four or five per year to 35-40 this year alone.
Subhakar Alapati, founder-director of Global Tree, echoed this trend: “Many are showing interest in courses such as food technology and dairy science-both at the undergraduate and master’s levels.”
New Zealand’s appeal extends beyond acaemics. Faster visa processing, a post-study work visa for up to three years, and a clear pathway to permanent residency are major draws for students.
“I did not want to go to the US because of the changing immigration rules, long visa wait times, and political uncertainties,” said Chavva Prasanth, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in food technology from Auckland.
“Canada too has become less attractive because of the recent cap on international student intake, rising cost of living, and new financial requirements for visas. So, I felt New Zealand was the better option.”
Paladugu Saketh, who will be heading to New Zealand’s North Island in July, shared a similar view.
“There is a shortage of skilled food technologists in New Zealand,” he said. “Also, these roles are on New Zealand’s Green List (formerly the Skill Shortage List), making it easier to obtain permanent residency.”

On International Dance Day, dancers from across Delhi – each devoted to preserving and celebrating diverse dance forms – pose for us at Delhi’s iconic heritage sites. Through stories woven with rhythm and passion, they share how their art has given them a voice and charted a path for expressing emotions.
Kathak has taught me restraint, and that things take their own time to reach perfection: Shinjini Kulkarni
Kathak is one of the fundamental relationships I have made as a human being. It has taught me restraint — every time I felt I was not reaching up to the point of perfection, despite doing the same routine in riyaaz, I learnt that things take their own time. It has taught me how one has no control over what they think they’re most prepared for. All my emotions have been mirrored in my dance productions, I sometimes go back to older projects to understand how I felt or used to emote them.

Kathak dancer Shinjini Kulkarni strikes a powerful pose against the Bada Gumbad at Lodhi Garden

I’ve realised that I can express some of the deepest emotions through Kathak, even before addressing or understanding them completely. It allows me to look at my own emotions from a third-person perspective.

‘I can express some of the deepest emotions through Kathak’

Dance is a language through which I process & express: Ayana Mukherjee
For me, dance is no longer just movements – it’s the language through which I process, question, and express the world around me. Over the years, it has grown into my most honest form of communication, especially when words fall short. Whether I’m embodying mythological women whose stories have been forgotten, or choreographing moments, where a mother like Yashoda grieves for all the children lost in war, I find myself speaking truths through my body.

Kuchipudi dancer Ayana Mukherjee strikes a graceful pose at the Mehrauli Archaeological Park

In every slow unfolding of a gesture, in every repeated attempt to perfect a movement, I’ve learned that mastery is not immediate – it’s earned over time, through showing up again and again. There are days when the body resists, or the expression feels out of reach, but Kuchipudi teaches me to stay with it. To breathe through the struggle.

‘Dance is how I remember, resist, and reimagine’

The rootedness of Kuchipudi – both in tradition and in storytelling – keeps me connected to something larger than myself. Dance is how I remember, resist, and reimagine.
Ballet keeps me balanced: Mario Fernando Augilera
Dance allows artists to express emotions and ideas beyond the scope of words, utilising movement, space, and time as a language. I believe that the practice of ballet and teaching the dance form are very therapeutic. It keeps me balanced and centred, and without it, I would not be able to get through the week.

Ballet dancer and teacher Mario Fernando Augilera showcases some ballet poses in the Qutub complex

Dance is raw, honest language that allows us to express exactly how I feel: Team Hashtag
As artistes, we’re privileged to experience a deeper and wider range of emotions than others. These emotions naturally flow into our body and movement, allowing us to express what words often can’t. Dance has no barriers — it’s a raw, honest language where we can move freely and express exactly how we feel.

Jahnvi Rao, Rubani Manaktala, Manas Yellapantula, Divyata Anand, Shivek Singhal show us some slick moves at Central Park in Connaught Place

Dance is raw, honest language that allows us to express exactly how I feel: Team Hashtag

Hip hop dancers from Hashtag show off some dance moves

BENGALURU: The uncertainty surrounding the appointment of Karnataka’s Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) has ended, with chief minister Siddaramaiah granting a 21-day extension to incumbent Alok Mohan.
“Alok Mohan, who was scheduled to retire on April 30, will now remain in office until May 21,” a senior official in the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed on Monday.
“He was appointed to the post on May 22, 2023, and the extension ensures compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive of a fixed two-year tenure for the state police chief, regardless of superannuation.”
This marks a pivotal moment in Karnataka’s police leadership structure as the state adopts a rule-based approach to top-level police appointments in accordance with judicial guidelines.
“Until now, the DG&IGP’s tenure was determined by the discretion of the govt of the day,” the official added. “But that stands changed now. Like the CBI director, the Karnataka police chief will now enjoy a fixed two-year tenure.”
The change aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, which mandates that state govts appoint the DG from among the three seniormost IPS officers empanelled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The ruling also insists that once appointed, the DG&IGP must serve a minimum of two years, irrespective of retirement age.
“The Director General of Police shall be selected based on seniority, a very good record, and relevant experience,” the Supreme Court ruled, setting the framework that Karnataka is now implementing.
Meanwhile, the search for the next police chief is intensifying. The Chief Minister has sent a list of five senior IPS officers to the UPSC for consideration.
“The five officers include Prashant Kumar Thakur, a non-controversial officer with strong bureaucratic ties; M Saleem, known for his efficient handling of Bengaluru’s traffic; Ramachandra Rao, who faced scrutiny after his daughter was caught smuggling gold from Dubai; P K Mohanty; and Alok Kumar, a taskmaster credited with reducing road fatalities on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway through tech-based interventions,” a source familiar with the development said.
“The UPSC will now shortlist three officers from the five recommended, and the Chief Minister will pick one to take charge once Alok Mohan’s extended term ends,” the source added.