Large swaths of india baked last week under intense heat that killed close to 1500 people and left the government scrambling to warn an often heedless population about the dangers of stepping outside in the blazing midday sun. Temperatures surpassed 47 degrees Celsius in some places and were higher than normal even in coastal districts that are typically cooled by easterly winds. Most of the deaths were reported in southern lndia in Andhra Pradesh and telangana. May is typically one of the hottest months of the year in India with the heat building before the onset of the cooling monsoon season.
Gay rights activist harrish lyer has received half a dozen proposals after his mother placed a matrimonial advertisement in an Indian newspaper. Padma lyer placed the ad believed to be India's first gay matrimonial ad in Mumbai's Mid-Day newpaper last Tuesday. Mr lyer told the BBC that his mother,like "any other in the world" was worried about his prospects and decided to give them a boost. "She is going through the proposals. She will draw a shortist and tell me who to meet. Im looking forward to meet them. I am hoping to find a partner now," he said.