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The Communiqué News

The trend of creating photos in an 80s retro style may appear harmless and entertaining, but amid growing concerns around cybersecurity, such viral trends could potentially be exploited to direct users towards fake apps, malicious APK files and suspicious links.

80s Retro Photo Trend Raises Cyber Fraud Concerns; Users Warned Against Fake Apps and APK Files

The popularity of AI-powered photo editing and retro-style image generation tools continues to grow. Cybercriminals can exploit this interest by using attractive app names and viral trends to redirect users to unfamiliar websites or pages prompting them to download applications.

The biggest risk arises when users download APK files from unverified websites and install them on their Android devices. Such files may appear to be legitimate photo-editing applications, while potentially exposing users to risks involving sensitive information, OTPs, messages and other personal data.

From a cybersecurity perspective, users should verify the source of any application before downloading it in connection with a viral trend. It is advisable to avoid installing APK files received through unfamiliar websites, WhatsApp or Telegram.

Users should also carefully review app permissions before granting access to sensitive information. If a photo-editing application requests access to contacts, SMS or other personal data, users should question whether such permissions are genuinely necessary for the app to function.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the 80s retro photo trend, but digital safety should not be compromised in the rush to participate in viral content. Trends may come and go, but recovering from the consequences of cyber fraud can be far more difficult.



Former President Droupadi Murmu’s ADC Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal opens up about Special Forces selection, presidential protocol, fear, discipline and the personal cost of serving at the highest level.

Swati Bhat

Raj Shamani’s Podcast with Major Rishabh Sambyal Offers a Rare Look Inside Presidential Security and Special Forces Training

The demanding reality behind military alertness, Presidential security and Special Forces training came into focus when Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, appeared on Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out podcast.

The episode, titled “Protecting the President: Security, VIP Threats & ADC Life | Major Rishabh | FO560 Raj Shamani,” was released on September 10, 2026, on Raj Shamani’s podcast platforms, including YouTube. The over two-hour conversation covered Presidential security protocols, the responsibilities of an ADC, Special Forces training, combat, discipline, fear and the personal sacrifices involved in serving close to the President.

Rishabh Sambyal on extreme training

One of the most striking portions of the conversation came when Sambyal was asked how officers train themselves to remain alert under extreme circumstances.

Describing a training or probation phase, Sambyal said officers could be required to carry approximately 70–80 kg of weight while being deprived of basic necessities. He stated: “You're deprived of water, you're deprived of food, and you're deprived of sleep for 30 to 40 days.” According to Sambyal, the objective is not merely to test physical endurance. The exercises are designed to develop heightened observation and awareness even when an officer is exhausted. He explained that trainees are made to walk roughly a kilometre along a circular route, with objects deliberately placed at unexpected locations. A helmet, for instance, could be positioned behind a tree. At the end of the exercise, trainees are questioned about what they noticed. “When that finishes, there's a test: what did you observe? That is how we train,” Sambyal said. The account offers an insight into the mindset expected from officers whose responsibilities can involve anticipating threats before they become visible.

Inside Presidential security

Sambyal also discussed the extraordinary level of attention involved in protecting the President. He explained that approximately one kilometre around the President is sanitised, meaning the area is checked to ensure there are no arms, metal or other potentially dangerous materials. Even seemingly ordinary objects can become part of an ADC's security assessment. Sambyal cited the example of the glass from which the President drinks water, explaining that an officer cannot simply assume that an object is safe because it appears harmless. The conversation also touched upon why members of the public are not permitted to casually touch the President or Prime Minister. Sambyal explained that the issue is not merely protocol but uncertainty about an individual's intentions and the potential consequences of even a seemingly minor incident.

More than a ceremonial role

For many people, an ADC is primarily seen as the military officer accompanying the President at official functions. Sambyal's account presented a much broader picture. He described the ADC as being responsible for managing the President's requirements, including coordination related to official engagements and communication. The episode also explored the logistical pressures involved in Presidential tours and the need to anticipate requirements before they arise.

Sambyal's career also includes service with the Special Forces, making his discussion of military discipline and combat particularly significant. The podcast featured a dedicated segment on Para SF selection, followed by conversations around combat experiences, fear and the military mindset.

The personal price of serving as an ADC

Beyond the physical demands of military life, Sambyal spoke about the personal sacrifices attached to serving as the President's ADC. He served in the Indian Army for around 12 years and later took premature retirement. His conversation with Raj Shamani explored his relationship with President Murmu, his decision to leave the Army and the personal cost of dedicating years to a demanding military career.

The podcast therefore went beyond the glamour associated with a high-profile military posting. Sambyal's revelations highlighted a less visible reality: the role requires constant alertness, discipline, physical endurance and an ability to remain observant when fatigue would ordinarily take over. His account of carrying heavy loads while enduring extreme deprivation was perhaps the most startling reminder that behind the formal uniform and ceremonial appearances lies a system built around preparation for situations where even the smallest detail can matter.





GUESS? Watches has entered a new chapter in India with the launch of its Fall/Winter 2026 collection and the appointment of actor and entrepreneur Tamannaah Bhatia as its new Watches Brand Ambassador. The announcement was made at an exclusive launch event in Mumbai, bringing together fashion, entertainment and industry voices to celebrate the brand’s latest move in the Indian market.

Swati Bhat

GUESS? Watches Unveils FW26 Collection with Tamannaah Bhatia as New Brand Ambassador in India

Tamannaah will front the brand’s upcoming FW26 Watches campaign, which is set to roll out across social media and consumer-facing platforms in September. Her association brings together GUESS? Watches’ fashion-driven identity with the actor’s distinctive style and confident public persona.

For GUESS, the partnership is about more than putting a celebrity face behind a collection. The brand is looking to strengthen its cultural relevance among fashion-conscious and younger consumers in India, with Tamannaah positioned as an ambassador who reflects the confidence, glamour and individuality associated with the GUESS identity.

Paul Marciano, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of GUESS? LLC, described Tamannaah as a natural fit for the brand, pointing to her distinctive style, confidence and effortless glamour. He added that her association will help bring the energy and individuality of the FW26 collection to life.

Tamannaah, meanwhile, highlighted the role of watches as fashion accessories, saying that the right timepiece can transform a look. Her first campaign with GUESS Watches will put that philosophy at the centre of the brand’s latest collection.

The collaboration also reflects a broader shift in the fashion-watch category, where timepieces increasingly function as expressions of personal style rather than simply instruments for telling time. Deepak Chhabra, Managing Director of Timex Group India, which handles GUESS Watches in the Indian market, has indicated that the partnership will support stronger consumer communication and activations across digital, social and traditional platforms.

With Tamannaah Bhatia leading its FW26 campaign, GUESS Watches is looking to make its latest collection part of the wider fashion conversation in India combining statement timepieces with celebrity style and a distinctly contemporary brand identity.





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