Who is Prof. Balki? Ex IIT Madras professor's viral lecture with no slides, no notes: 'What a legend'

 

A video of former IIT Madras professor V Balakrishnan delivering a physics lecture has suddenly taken social media by storm. On X, where the video surfaced two days ago, people are praising his command over the subject as well as the clarity with which he communicated his thoughts — minus the help of any teaching aids like slides or notes.

The video was published online through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), India's national open courseware programme. Although IIT Madras alumni can already attest to Professor Balakrishnan’s skills, the video has brought him into the limelight for the larger public as well.

Who is Professor V Balakrishnan?

Venkataraman Balakrishnan, also known as Professor Balki to his students, is an Indian theoretical physicist and retired professor.

He has worked in a number of fields and areas, including particle physics, many-body theory, the mechanical behavior of solids, dynamical systems, stochastic processes, and quantum dynamics.

He taught at IIT Madras for decades, where he was counted among the most influential faculty members. He was known for his engaging style of teaching.

An idea of his teaching prowess and skills can be ascertained from this testimonial posted by a former student, Arun Kannawadi, on Quora: “Sitting in Balki's class is like sitting down to watch 'Game of Thrones' or any other favorite series of yours. You don't want it to get over!” Kannawadi compared Balakrishnan to a modern-day Feynman and said that his lectures along inspired him to switch from engineering to physics.

Childhood and education

Professor Balakrishnan spent a large part of his childhood in Pune and Mumbai.

As an undergraduate student, he studied Physics Honours at Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College. He graduated from St Stephen’s in 1963.

After completing his Master’s degree, Balakrishnan went to the US to obtain a PhD from Brandeis University.

He returned to India in late 1970 and spent three years at Tata Institute in Bombay, following which he joined the Reactor Research Centre (now the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) at Kalpakkam.

In 1980, he joined IIT Madras as a Professor of Physics — where he remained until his retirement.

He was elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 1985.

Personal life

Professor Balki is married to Radha Balakrishnan, a theoretical physicist and retired professor from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai.

The couple has two children — their son, Hari Balakrishnan, is currently the Fujitsu Professor of Computer Science at MIT.

Their daughter, Hamsa Balakrishnan, is also on the faculty at MIT as a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Both Hamsa and Hari Balakrishnan received their undergraduate degrees from IIT Madras.

Venkataraman Balakrishnan, widely and affectionately known as "Prof. Balki" to his students, is an eminent Indian theoretical physicist and a retired Professor of Physics from IIT Madras.

A viral clip of his lecture took social media by storm, drawing widespread praise from students, academics, and science enthusiasts across the internet.

🌟 Why the Lecture Went Viral

• Old-School "Chalk-and-Talk" Mastery: In the viral NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) video recorded at IIT Madras, Prof. Balki steps up to a simple green chalkboard holding nothing more than a piece of chalk.

• Zero Teaching Aids: He delivers a complex physics lecture entirely from memory—without slides, laptops, notes, or pre-scripted outlines.

• Effortless Conceptual Flow: Viewers were amazed by how every concept seamlessly connected to the next without pauses, verbal fillers, or hesitation.

• Building Physics from First Principles: Rather than diving straight into math formulas, he builds the fundamental ideas logically step by step, making intimidating physics concepts remarkably easy to digest.

📚 Background & Career

• Education: Completed his B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University (graduating in 1963). He later moved to the United States to earn his Ph.D. from Brandeis University.

• Distinguished Career: He returned to India in late 1970, working at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and the Reactor Research Centre (now IGCAR) in Kalpakkam. He joined IIT Madras in 1980 as a Professor of Physics, where he taught for decades until his retirement.

• Research Specialization: His research spans particle physics, many-body theory, dynamical systems, stochastic processes, and quantum dynamics.

• Honors: Elected as a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 1985.

💬 Famous Student Testimonial

Former student Arun Kannawadi famously wrote on Quora:

"Sitting in Balki's class is like sitting down to watch 'Game of Thrones' or any other favorite series of yours. You don't want it to get over!"

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High-altitude treason? Ex-French Navy pilot who said India lost Rafales in Operation Sindoor held for 'China spy links'

 

A former French Navy pilot, Pierre-Henri Chuet, has been placed under formal investigation in France over allegations of passing sensitive national defence secrets to Chinese operatives.

Chuet, who flew Rafale M and Super Étendard fighter jets during his military service, was taken into custody by France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI. Intelligence officers searched his residence before presenting him to an investigating magistrate in Paris.

He now faces formal charges including the disclosure of national defence secrets, intelligence activities with a foreign power, and providing sensitive national data to a foreign state. He has since been released under judicial supervision.

Unauthorised Trips and Chinese Pilot Training

The judicial probe centres on undisclosed trips Chuet allegedly made to China in 2018 and 2019 while still an active-duty officer in the French Navy. Under French military regulations, serving personnel must inform their chain of command before undertaking foreign travel.

Investigators suspect these visits were funded through a South African aviation school to facilitate training seminars for Chinese military pilots. The sessions allegedly covered advanced aircraft carrier operations, landing signal technologies, and Western operational tactics.

Chuet has denied the espionage allegations, claiming he merely led brief, routine aviation seminars.

The Operation Sindoor Rafale Claims

Chuet sparked widespread controversy when he questioned the operational performance of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor.

In various public appearances and aviation commentaries, Chuet claimed that India lost Rafale aircraft to Chinese-manufactured warplanes operated by Pakistan. He heavily praised Chinese jets like the J-10C and JF-17, framing them as superior counters to Western fighter technology.

The claims raised eyebrows given Dassault Aviation’s status as a premier French defence exporter, leading military analysts to scrutinise his underlying motives.

Beijing’s Broader Disinformation Campaign

French intelligence previously highlighted a coordinated disinformation push aimed at undermining Western hardware following high-profile military engagements. Officials noted that state-backed narratives sought to erode confidence in French aerospace platforms to boost the global market share of Chinese arms manufacturers.

With Western nations increasingly warning against efforts by Beijing to recruit former NATO and Allied aircrew for military instruction, Chuet’s investigation marks a high-stakes legal case intersecting military espionage, aviation safety, and global defence commerce.

Former French Navy pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet (known online as "Até Chuet"), who created controversy by claiming the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost Rafale jets during Operation Sindoor while praising Chinese fighters as "Rafale killers," has been placed under formal investigation in France over alleged espionage ties to China.

🔍 Key Details of the Investigation

• Who is he? Pierre-Henri Chuet is a former French naval aviator (and popular aviation YouTuber) who flew Super Étendard and Rafale M fighters from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle before leaving active service.

• The Detention & Charges: In late July 2026, France's domestic intelligence agency (DGSI) searched his residence and questioned him. He was presented to an investigating magistrate in Paris and placed under formal investigation (mise en examen) on four charges:

  1. Disclosure of national defense secrets.

  2. Maintaining intelligence links with a foreign power.

  3. Collection of information relating to France's fundamental national interests.

  4. Providing information to a foreign power.

• Current Status: He has been released under judicial supervision while the investigating judge conducts the inquiry. Under French law, formal investigation indicates serious or corroborating evidence, but he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

🚁 What Led to the Probe?

• Undeclared Trips to China: Investigations by French outlets (Le Canard Enchaîné and Mediapart) revealed that Chuet made two undeclared trips to China in September 2018 and August 2019 while still serving in the French Navy.

• Military Training Seminars: The trips were allegedly facilitated by the South Africa-based Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) to conduct training seminars for Chinese military pilots, including tactics on aircraft carrier operations (CATOBAR landings and carrier aviation).

• Disinformation Concerns: French intelligence agencies suspect Beijing used external commentators and diplomatic networks to amplify doubts about the combat performance of Dassault’s Rafale in order to promote Chinese jets (such as the J-10C and JF-17) and undermine French defense exports.

  
  
  

🛡️ Response & Denials

• Pierre-Henri Chuet: Denied any espionage charges, stating he only ran two short three-day training seminars and had not been to China since 2019.

• Dassault Aviation: The manufacturer of the Rafale dismissed claims surrounding IAF Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor as inaccurate disinformation.

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India's first bullet train is over 60% complete – but when will it finally run?

 

India's first bullet train project has crossed a major construction milestone, with more than 61 per cent of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor now complete, according to the latest government data. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's (MoSPI) monthly Project Monitoring Flash Report for June said the 508-km high-speed rail corridor has achieved over 61% physical progress, with Rs 90,966.89 crore spent on the project so far.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, monitored through MoSPI's Project Assessment Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation Building (PRAGATI) portal, is currently estimated to cost around Rs 1.08 lakh crore, as reported by Swarajya. However, the final expenditure is expected to rise to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore, with Indian Railways expected to absorb the cost escalation without seeking additional funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has financed a significant portion of the project.

The government informed Parliament that construction is advancing steadily across the corridor. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, 209 km of track bed has been completed, while 190 km of overhead electrification (OHE) masts have been installed. In addition, construction of 452 km of piers has been completed and 356 km of girders have been installed along the 508-km alignment. The project stretches across Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

Work is also progressing on the project's 21-km under-sea tunnel, with 4.8 km of tunnelling between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra already completed. On the 97-km Surat-Vapi section, all civil works, including river bridge construction, have been completed, while 86 per cent of the track bed has already been laid. Nearly 90% of the entire corridor is being constructed as an elevated alignment, with the remaining sections comprising tunnels, bridges and station areas.

Earlier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India's first bullet train would begin its inaugural 100-km commercial run between Surat and Vapi in August 2027. The Surat-Vapi section will be the first phase of the larger Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, with subsequent phases covering the Vapi-Ahmedabad and Thane-Ahmedabad sections before the complete Mumbai-Ahmedabad route becomes operational. The minister said the entire 508-km corridor is expected to be completed by December 2029.

Once the full corridor becomes operational, trains will run at speeds of up to 320 km/h, dramatically reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the journey will take just 1 hour and 58 minutes with four intermediate stops. Services stopping at all 12 stations will complete the journey in 2 hours and 17 minutes. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is India's first bullet train project and is expected to transform long-distance rail travel by introducing high-speed services connecting key commercial centres in western India.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor—India's first bullet train project—has seen rapid progress, but full operation across the entire 508-km line will be rolled out in phased stages.

Here is the official timeline and operational roadmap according to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and the Ministry of Railways:

📅 The Rollout Timeline

[Aug 2026]           [Aug 2027]                      [2029]
First High-Speed     Commercial Launch               Full 508-km Corridor
Trial Runs           First Public Operations          Operational
(Surat to Vapi)      (Surat–Vapi/Bilimora)           (Mumbai–Ahmedabad)

1. High-Speed Trial Runs (August 2026)

• Section: 100-km stretch between Surat and Vapi in Gujarat.

• Purpose: Testing track integration, Japanese signaling (ETCS Level 2), overhead electrical traction systems, and trainset dynamics at operational speeds reaching up to 320 km/h.

2. Phase 1 Public Launch (August 2027)

• Section: Initial commercial service between Surat and Vapi/Bilimora.

• Passengers will be able to buy tickets and ride India's first high-speed rail on this inaugural segment.

3. Full Corridor Operational (Target: 2029)

• Section: Entire 508 km line from Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) to BKC (Mumbai).

• Travel Time: Reduces the current ~5.5-hour journey down to 1 hour 58 minutes (express/limited stops) or 2 hours 17 minutes (stopping at all 12 stations).

🏗️ What’s Driving the Status & Delays?

While progress in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (~352 km) moved into overdrive with viaduct construction and river bridge completions, the overall project timeline faced setbacks due to earlier challenges:

• Land Acquisition Delays: Land handover in Maharashtra took significantly longer, though 100% of the land required across the entire route has now been acquired.

• Undersea Tunnel Execution: The project includes a complex 21-km underground section between BKC and Shilphata, featuring a 7-km undersea tunnel beneath Thane Creek.

• Rolling Stock: India is using Japanese Shinkansen (E5 series/modified variants) technology while simultaneously co-developing indigenous high-speed trainsets (Vande Bullet/280 km/h prototypes via ICF & BEML) under the Make in India initiative.

Key Takeaway: The bullet train will hit Indian tracks for trials in mid-2026, begin passenger service on a section in Gujarat by late 2027, and run full-throttle between Mumbai and Ahmedabad by 2029.

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'What kind of Chanakya are you?' Abhijeet Dipke targets Amit Shah, seeks resignation

 

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the alleged firing on students during the recent protest. Speaking to the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke accused the Centre of failing on multiple fronts, including law and order, student welfare and policing, while also rejecting allegations about his party receiving foreign funding.

Targets Amit Shah, BJP

Dipke questioned allegations that the Cockroach Janata Party was receiving funding from abroad, saying that if such funding had indeed taken place, it reflected a failure of the Union Home Minister.

"If funding is coming from outside while Amit Shah is the Home Minister, then it is his failure. What kind of Chanakya are you if a party is being run from outside under your watch? You should also resign," Dipke said.

He also criticised the Union government's handling of education, alleging that the current Education Minister supported atrocities. Referring to the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan, Dipke said another "strange person" had been appointed in his place and questioned what alternative the government had.

Dipke said the students protesting were from ordinary families and criticised attempts to troll them. He also acknowledged the support extended by farmer leaders, saying he came from a farming family and would always stand with farmers whenever required.

'I Will Never Join BJP'

Dipke said he would not join the BJP even if offered the opportunity. He alleged that he had received threats asking him to join the party and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were intimidating people of his generation.

He also accused the government of shifting attention away from issues such as unemployment, inflation and farmers' concerns.

Commenting on the Delhi Police, Dipke said officers should either follow the Constitution or "take off their khaki trousers, wear khaki shorts and raise slogans outside the BJP headquarters."

He further claimed that he had seen a truck carrying stones being brought to Delhi before the protest and alleged that the police had planned to later blame the students. According to Dipke, the entire operation was pre-planned by the police.

Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke directly targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding his resignation following police action against students during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" protest in Delhi over examination paper leaks.

Dipke addressed claims being made by governing party leaders alleging that the CJP's agitation was foreign-funded or orchestrated from outside India:

"Amit Shah should definitely resign. There is another thing being said: that the Cockroach Janta Party is receiving funding from outside or that the movement is being run from outside. If this is happening, then it reflects the failure of a person like Amit Shah. If the CJP is being run from outside, then what kind of 'Chanakya' is he? The order to use force against students on July 20 must have been issued by Amit Shah and no one else."

Key Points Made by Dipke

• Direct Allegations on the Crackdown: Dipke echoed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's stance, asserting that a police action of that scale against protesting students in the national capital could not have taken place without orders from the Union Home Minister.

• Claims of Staged Provocation: Dipke alleged that the Delhi Police brought trucks loaded with stones and damaged vehicles to the Jantar Mantar site on the morning of July 20 to frame agitating students for stone-pelting and justify the subsequent police crackdown.

  
  
  

• Criticism of Law Enforcement: Urging police forces to adhere strictly to the Constitution rather than political directives, Dipke remarked that if officers act on political orders, they should "switch to khaki chaddi (half pants) and stand before the BJP headquarters saying 'main bhi chowkidar'."

• Cabinet Changes: He criticized the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the new Union Education Minister following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, calling the handling of student grievances inadequate.

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‘My biggest nightmare’: Nithin Kamath of Zerodha warns of South Korea-like crash risk in Indian stock markets

 

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has flagged margin trading funding (MTF) as the single biggest risk facing his brokerage, warning that a sharp correction in Indian equities could trigger a chain reaction of forced selling, similar to what has unfolded in South Korea's stock market. While he stressed that India's regulatory framework has helped prevent excessive leverage, Kamath said the rapid growth of MTF over the past few years remains his "biggest nightmare" as a broker.

In a post on X, Kamath said the rapid expansion of Zerodha's MTF book has become the firm's largest source of risk since it was founded in 2010. According to him, the concern is not merely the size of the exposure but the composition of the portfolio, particularly the significant allocation to stocks outside the futures and options (F&O) segment.

"My biggest nightmare as a broker is what's happening in the Korean markets right now. The source of my nightmare is the way our MTF book has been growing along with the industry as a whole. In terms of pure risk, MTF is by far the biggest risk we have taken since we started in 2010," Kamath wrote.

He said Zerodha currently has an MTF book of around ₹9,000 crore, with at least half of it invested in non-F&O stocks. According to Kamath, this creates an additional layer of risk because many of these stocks can hit lower circuits repeatedly during periods of market stress, preventing investors and brokers from exiting their positions.

Kamath drew parallels with recent developments in South Korea, where a sharp rally in equities encouraged greater use of leverage. As stock prices rise, collateral values also increase, allowing investors to borrow more against their holdings. He noted that this cycle can become increasingly dangerous when combined with derivatives and leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which tend to magnify both gains and losses.

According to Kamath, the real danger emerges when markets reverse. A relatively small decline can quickly snowball into a much larger selloff as falling collateral values trigger margin calls, forcing investors to liquidate positions. The subsequent unwinding of leveraged ETF positions adds to the selling pressure, creating what he described as a self-reinforcing downward spiral until markets eventually stabilise.

Why Kamath believes India is not immune

Kamath pointed out that margin trading funding has become popular only over the last three to four years, meaning the industry has not yet experienced a major market crash under the current scale of leveraged participation. While Indian equities witnessed extreme volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic, he suggested that the MTF ecosystem was still relatively small at the time compared with today.

He cautioned that even though MTF represents a relatively small proportion of India's overall market capitalisation, its impact during a sharp correction could be disproportionately large, especially in the small- and mid-cap universe.

"Even though MTF as a percentage of market cap is small, if the Indian markets were to fall sharply, it would cause severe sell-offs across many small- and mid-cap stocks. Brokers today typically provide MTF on ~1,500 stocks," Kamath said.

The Zerodha founder also highlighted that the widespread availability of MTF across roughly 1,500 stocks increases the potential breadth of any forced liquidation event if market sentiment deteriorates rapidly.

Despite his concerns, Kamath credited the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for maintaining tighter regulatory oversight of leverage in the Indian market. He said the regulator's approach has helped prevent the kind of excessive leverage that has historically contributed to deeper market dislocations in several overseas markets.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath flagged a sharp warning regarding the growing risk of Margin Trading Facility (MTF) in the Indian stock market, calling a potential South Korea-style market crash his "biggest nightmare as a broker."

His concerns stem from recent volatility in South Korea's KOSPI index, where excessive leverage and forced liquidations triggered a steep sell-off.

Key Highlights of Kamath's Warning

1. The MTF Boom & Leverage Loop

• MTF (Margin Trading Facility) allows investors to buy shares by borrowing part of the purchase amount from brokers using existing securities or cash as collateral.

• During a prolonged rally, higher stock prices increase collateral value, allowing investors to borrow even more to buy additional shares.

• Kamath highlighted that when markets turn, this leverage creates a self-reinforcing downward spiral:

  $$\text{Falling Prices} \longrightarrow \text{Margin Calls} \longrightarrow \text{Forced Liquidation} \longrightarrow \text{Deeper Price Drop}$$

2. Illiquidity in Small & Mid-Cap (Non-F&O) Stocks

• Zerodha currently holds an MTF book of around ₹9,000 crore, with at least half of that exposure sitting in non-F&O (Futures & Options) stocks.

• The Core Danger: Large-cap derivatives stocks usually have enough liquidity to absorb forced selling. However, non-F&O small- and mid-cap stocks can hit lower circuits (trading halts due to steep drops) day after day with zero buyers, locking both investors and brokers out of an exit.

3. Untested Infrastructure Under Market Stress

• MTF adoption in India surged heavily over the last 3–4 years.

  
  
  

• Because the industry hasn't experienced a severe, sustained market crash during this period of high retail leverage, the system's resilience under extreme stress remains largely untested.

• Brokers in India currently offer MTF on roughly 1,500 stocks, expanding leverage far beyond top-tier liquid names.

The Silver Lining

Despite the warning, Kamath noted that risk management frameworks mandated by SEBI (such as peak margin rules and collateral haircut norms) have helped prevent the level of unchecked, extreme leverage seen in some international markets. However, the concentration of margin debt in mid- and small-cap names remains a key risk factor during market drawdowns.

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Ramayana trailer breaks the internet with hilarious memes. See the funniest ones

 

The trailer of Ramayana: Part One, featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, has drawn strong reactions online, with viewers praising its visuals, performances and devotional tone while also turning parts of the first glimpse into a meme fest.

Released during the auspicious Brahma Mahurat (ambrosial hours of early morning), the trailer has generated massive excitement among fans.

Here are some of the popular themes and humor trends surrounding the recent Ramayana trailer release:

• VFX & CGI Comparisons: Social media was flooded with side-by-side comparisons contrasting the visual effects with older classic shows, gaming graphics, and animated movies.

• Casting & Character Reactions: Memes humorous about fan expectations versus actor reveals, particularly regarding iconic character portrayals.

• Dialogue & Music Edits: Fans created viral mashups swapping dramatic soundtrack moments with iconic pop culture audio clips and popular dialogue tropes.

  
  
  

• Classic Nostalgia: Re-sharing clips from Ramanand Sagar's classic 1987 TV series Ramayan with captions like "Return to perfection."

• The trailer of Nitesh Tiwari's epic ignited a flood of hilarious posts on X, with a section of users commenting on Ranbir Kapoor's look as Lord Rama, comparing Yash's Ravana army scene to a "colony of bees," and sharing sarcastic Dharma Productions casting swaps.

  An X user shared a screenshot of Ranbir as Lord Rama from Ramayana trailer and wrote, "Bro looks like he's about to say 'Main udna chahta hu Naina (I want to fly Naina)'....#Ramayana (sic)."

  
  
  

• Ramayana: Part One also features actors Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh and Sunny Deol in key roles. Sunny plays Lord Hanuman in the film. Although the actor does not appear in the trailer.

  
  
  

  The upcoming film is based on sage Valmiki's ancient epic and is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Ramayana: Part One is produced by Namit Malhotra and is set for a Diwali 2026 theatrical release.

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