3D rendering of philosopher Chanakya looks like Dhoni, internet reacts
Netizens expressed amusement, surprise, and even admiration for the creative intersection of history and contemporary culture.
By Vibhuti PathakMar 11, 2024
A 3D model crafted by scientists to depict the 4th century BCE economist and philosopher, Chanakya, surprisingly resembles the former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, sparking amusement and memes across Indian social media platforms.
The captivating 3D model, crafted by the scientific minds at Magadha DS University, shared on X swiftly went viral.
— (@)
A user on X shared a side-by-side image, accompanied by a caption highlighting the unique twist to Chanakya's historical image. "Scientists at Magadha DS University have reconstructed this 3D model of how Chanakya, the author of Arthashastra might have looked."
Netizens expressed amusement, surprise, and even admiration for the creative intersection of history and contemporary culture.
The online community found itself caught in a delightful frenzy, exploring the intricacies of the digital reconstruction and the intriguing blend of ancient and modern elements.
The unexpected connection between Chanakya and MS Dhoni served as a reminder of the universality of certain visual traits and the power of digital technology to bridge gaps across centuries.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, commonly known as MS Dhoni, is one of the most iconic and successful cricketers to emerge from India. Under his captaincy, India also secured the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
His ability to maintain a calm exterior, even during nail-biting matches, earned him the moniker "Captain Cool." Dhoni was also known for his innovative captaincy, strategic field placements, and effective use of players based on their strengths.
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was an ancient Indian philosopher, teacher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor who lived around the 4th century BCE. He is perhaps best known for his seminal work, the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, politics, economics, and military strategy.
Arthashastra, which translates to "The Science of Material Gain" or "The Science of Politics," is a comprehensive manual that covers various aspects of statecraft and governance. At its core, the treatise aims to provide guidelines for rulers on how to establish and maintain a stable and prosperous state.
The treatise begins with an exploration of the nature of power, the qualifications of a ruler, and the importance of a well-organized state. It delves into economic policies, taxation, and trade regulations, emphasizing the need for a strong and self-sufficient economy as the foundation of a stable kingdom.
Chanakya advocates for the promotion of agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing to ensure the economic well-being of the state.
The Arthashastra also provides detailed insights into the art of warfare, covering aspects such as military organization, espionage, and strategies for conquest.
If approved, the law would impose fines or jail terms on individuals and companies providing online money gaming services. (Representational image: Getty)
INDIA's government on Wednesday introduced a bill in parliament seeking to ban online gambling, citing risks of addiction, financial losses, and possible links to money laundering and terrorism financing.
The proposed legislation could affect a multi-billion dollar sector that includes online poker, fantasy sports, and India’s popular fantasy cricket apps, some of which sponsor the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national cricket team.
The bill, tabled in the lower house, seeks to prohibit websites or apps from offering games “played by a user paying fees or depositing money or other stakes” with the expectation of winning money.
If approved, the law would impose fines or jail terms on individuals and companies providing online money gaming services.
Lawmakers said the industry’s “unchecked expansion” required regulation, noting that it has been linked to “financial fraud, money laundering... and in some cases, the financing of terrorism.” The bill also referred to the financial and social harm such games could cause to young players.
Industry groups have opposed the proposal, saying it would damage a sector that has attracted significant foreign investment.
The All India Gaming Federation and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports said on Tuesday that banning “responsible” Indian operators would drive
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Harry Brook leads his team off the field during the 2nd ODI between England and the West Indies at Sophia Gardens on June 01, 2025 in Cardiff. (Photo: Getty Images)
ENGLAND on Wednesday confirmed the dates for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January and February next year, which will form part of their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook’s side will begin the tour with the first of three one-day internationals on January 22, two weeks after the scheduled fifth day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Brook, who is now England’s white-ball captain, is expected to feature in that match.
The ODI series will conclude on January 27, followed by three T20 internationals starting on January 30 and finishing on February 3.
Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to confirm the venues for the fixtures.
The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
Keep ReadingShow less
Ratings for Season 15 dropped to an average of 3.2M viewers
BBC confirms its commitment to Doctor Who regardless of Disney’s future involvement.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s new chief content officer, reassured fans at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Ratings for Season 15 dropped to an average of 3.2M viewers, down from last year’s figures.
Ncuti Gatwa has exited the role, regenerating into Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
Spin-off The War Between The Land And The Sea is next in production.
BBC reassures fans over Doctor Who’s future
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will remain on the broadcaster “with or without Disney”, following speculation about the sci-fi series’ future.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, told delegates at the Edinburgh TV Festival:
“Rest assured, Doctor Who is going nowhere. Disney has been a great partnership — and it continues with The War Between The Land And The Sea next year — but going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC … The Tardis is going nowhere.”
Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s director of scripted, echoed the commitment, adding that the show still performs well with younger audiences.
Ratings concern for Season 15
Despite the BBC’s reassurance, official viewing figures paint a challenging picture. According to BARB seven-day consolidated ratings analysed by Deadline, Season 15 averaged 3.2M viewers across eight episodes — around 500,000 fewer than last year.
Comparisons with Jodie Whittaker’s final series highlight the decline: her 2021 run averaged 4.9M viewers, 1.7M higher than Gatwa’s most recent outing.
While broadcasters prefer 28-day data for a fuller picture, seven-day figures usually reflect the overall trend, suggesting viewership has weakened significantly.
What’s next for the Whoniverse
Season 15 concluded on a cliffhanger as Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
Produced by Bad Wolf, spin-off series The War Between The Land And The Sea is the next project in the Whoniverse and will continue under the BBC–Disney partnership for now.
Showrunner Russell T Davies previously admitted that the future beyond the spin-off was uncertain, but the BBC has now made clear the franchise is not going anywhere.
Keep ReadingShow less
Keir Starmer attends the Service of Remembrance to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire, Britain August 15, 2025. Anthony Devlin/Pool via REUTERS
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer faced renewed criticism over his immigration policies on Thursday (21) after new official figures showed asylum-seeker claims hitting a record high, with more migrants being housed in hotels compared with a year ago.
According to a regular tracker of voters' concerns, immigration has overtaken the economy as the biggest issue amid anger over the record numbers of asylum seekers arriving in small boats across the Channel, including more than 27,000 this year.
The populist Reform Party, which advocates the deportation of "illegal immigrants", is now comfortably leading in the polls, putting Starmer, who has promised to cut net immigration, under increasing pressure to tackle the issue.
However, earlier this week the government was dealt a blow when a council to the northeast of London won a temporary injunction to stop asylum seekers from being housed in a hotel where protests had erupted after one resident was charged with sexual assault.
Other councils have indicated they would also seek similar court orders, while Reform leader Nigel Farage has called for more protests.
"Labour has lost control of our borders and they're engulfed in a migration crisis," said Chris Philp, the home affairs spokesman for the main opposition Conservative party.
The new migration data showed more than 32,000 asylum seekers were housed in hotels in Britain at the end of June this year, an increase of eight per cent from the year before.
However, the total figure of just over 32,000 was 43 per cent lower than the peak of 56,042 recorded in September 2023, and slightly down compared with the previous quarterly figures in March.
Anti-immigration demonstrators display Union Jack and England flags as they gather outside the Cresta Court hotel, in Altrincham, Britain, August 8, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble
The figures also showed 111,000 people had claimed asylum in the year to June, up 14 per cent from the previous year and surpassing the previous peak of 103,000 recorded in 2002.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said overall the figures showed their policies have been working since Labour took office last year, pointing to a 30 per cent increase in the returns of failed asylum seekers.
"We inherited a broken immigration and asylum system that the previous government left in chaos," she said in a statement.
"Since coming to office we have strengthened Britain’s visa and immigration controls, cut asylum costs and sharply increased enforcement and returns, as today’s figures show."
The numbers arriving on small boats - up 38 per cent in the year to June - have become the focal point for the migration issue. Critics say the public are at risk from thousands of young men coming to Britain, while pro-migrant groups say the issue is being used by far right groups to exploit tensions.
The latest figures showed of the almost 160,000 people who had arrived on small boats and claimed asylum since 2018, 61,706 had been granted some form of protection status.
Nationals from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iran made up the largest number of such arrivals in the year to June.
While the data showed overall enforced returns were 25 per cent higher in the year to June than the previous year, it also said since 2018 only 6,313 people who arrived by small boat had been returned, four per cent of the total number of such arrivals.
Starmer's government views clearing the backlog of cases as essential to fulfilling its pledge to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this parliament in 2029.
Under a 1999 law, the Home Office "is required to provide accommodation and subsistence support to all destitute asylum seekers while their asylum claims are being decided".
But the use of hotels, which hit peak levels under the previous Tory government, costs Britain billions of pounds -- and they also have become flashpoints for sometimes violent protests.
Labour has said the use of migrant hotels has fallen from a high of 400 two years ago to around 230 presently.
Thursday's figures also showed that spending on asylum had fallen 12 per cent from £5.38 billion in 2023/24 to £4.76bn in 2024/25.
Starmer's government has signed several agreements with countries as it tries to break up gangs of people-smugglers facilitating the crossings.
It penned a new returns deal with Iraq this week and has struck a "one-in, one-out" pilot programme with Paris, which allows Britain to send some small-boats arrivals back to France.
(Agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Students queue to get their GCSE results at City Of London Magistrates Court on August 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
HUNDREDS of thousands of teenagers received their GCSE results on Thursday, with figures showing a slight increase in top grades but a growing number of pupils failing English and maths.
Data from the Joint Council for Qualifications showed that 21.9 per cent of entries were awarded at least grade 7 or A, up from 21.8 per cent last year. The overall pass rate at grade 4 or C fell slightly to 67.4 per cent, compared with 67.6 per cent last year, though still above pre-pandemic levels.
Among 16-year-olds, 39.8 per cent did not achieve a standard pass in English language and 41.7 per cent failed in maths, both worse than last year. More students are expected to retake exams in autumn or next year, The Times reported.
Among older students retaking exams, results were also low: only 18.2 per cent of those aged 17 or above passed maths, while 23.1 per cent passed English.
Regional disparities continued. London had the highest proportion of top grades, with 28.4 per cent at 7 or A, compared with 17.8 per cent in the northeast, the lowest performing region. London also had the highest pass rate at grade 4 or C, 71.6 per cent, down from 73.1 per cent last year.
Gender differences persisted. Girls achieved 24.5 per cent top grades, compared with 19.4 per cent for boys. The gap of 5.1 percentage points was the smallest in 25 years. At least grade 4 or C was achieved by 70.5 per cent of girls and 64.3 per cent of boys.
Ofqual figures showed 1,302 pupils achieved grade 9 in all their GCSEs, with girls making up 61.7 per cent.
Subject choices shifted, with Spanish overtaking French, and entries rising in statistics, music, business studies and physical education, while history, religious studies, English literature and single sciences saw declines.