📜 Historian Sumit Sarkar challenged old narratives

Sumit Sarkar, a historian born in Calcutta in 1939, addressed three imposed historical agendas in his late writings. These agendas included dogmatic Marxism, postmodernism, and religious majoritarianism of the sangh parivar. Sarkar rejected 'pomo-poco' thought for underplaying social conflict and caste issues. His seminal work, Modern India: 1885-1947, provided a comprehensive view of colonial rule and nationalism. His scholarship was noted for its comparative lens and excellent prose, extending beyond academic circles.

🏏 India aims for a clean sweep in Colombo test

India is set to play the second and final Test against injury-hit Sri Lanka on Sunday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are key players hoping to maintain momentum after a 165-run win in Galle. This 2-0 sweep would boost their World Test Championship push, moving them from fifth to fourth in standings. The team needs strong performances as Gill and Jaiswal struggled in the previous match. A major decision involves selecting between Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain for the lineup. 🏏

💸 Asus Googlebook price leak is insane 🤯

The upcoming Asus CX9406 Googlebook has leaked with a surprisingly high price tag. This new high-end Chromebook family is from Asus, and the leak was spotted on a Canadian website. The specific variant features an Intel Core Ultra 5 325 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and costs CA$1902.99. While performance should be decent for most tasks, it is not positioned as an affordable device. More details about other SKUs are expected closer to its September 15 unveiling in New York.

🌧️ Monsoon weakening; below-normal rain expected

India's monsoon is weakening, with the IMD predicting below-normal rainfall across the country for the next two weeks through September 2. The all-India deficit stands at 14% below the long-period average as of Saturday, August 22, 2026. The monsoon trough is stuck near Himalayan foothills, missing central India where rain is crucial. Skymet has downgraded its forecast to 85% of LPA with a 70% drought chance. This situation raises concerns about agriculture and potential food inflation. 📉

🏏 Rahane pushes Gambhir and Gill to back Kuldeep Yadav

Former cricketer Ajinkya Rahane urged team management to support spinner Kuldeep Yadav despite a quiet first Test in Galle. Rahane called on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to give the wrist-spinner more confidence. This suggestion comes after Kuldeep picked up only one wicket during the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Rahane stated that Kuldeep is a proven match-winner who will perform if the team backs him. The second Test is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Colombo. 🏏

🏈 Watson gets booed after preseason showing

Deshaun Watson faced negative fan reactions after his recent preseason game performance. He played for the Cleveland Browns against the Buffalo Bills during the preseason. In this game, Watson went 5-for-12 for 36 passing yards and recorded one interception. Watson referenced past instances where fans cheered when he was injured, questioning the current boos. The Browns begin the 2026 season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

🎬 Shekhar Suman recalls his first National Awards night

Shekhar Suman shared a memory of his debut at the National Awards ceremony. This significant event took place with Jaya Bachchan present at the gathering. The memory dates back to an unspecified year, highlighting a career milestone for Suman. He described the experience as a 'huge disaster' in retrospect. Suman reflected on how this early moment shaped his subsequent journey in the industry. 🎬

💖 Young girl claims love for Dilip Kumar

A 12-year-old named Saira Banu expressed her desire to marry the famous actor Dilip Kumar. She stated this feeling was experienced while she was in the presence of him in a particular location. The statement was made on an unspecified date, reflecting her personal sentiment towards the veteran actor. This declaration suggests a youthful infatuation rather than any form of coercion or pressure. The situation highlights a complex narrative regarding childhood affections for public figures. 💖

🌕 Moon Phase Update: Waxing Gibbous Today

The moon phase for August 23, 2026, is currently Waxing Gibbous. This celestial event is visible across the sky in the Eastern Herald region. The illumination level is reported to be exactly at 80%. This phase signifies the moon is growing in visible light after the half-moon stage. Astronomers will continue to track its progression into the full moon phase. 🌕

🏫 Buffalo School Rebuild Gets Funding

The old Buffalo shed school has officially been allocated funds for its reconstruction project. This crucial project will take place in Buffalo, bringing much-needed updates to the facility. The rebuilding process is scheduled to commence on September 1st, 2024. This funding injection is set to modernize the learning environment for local students. The completion timeline is yet to be announced by the education board. 🏫

🧠 NYT Connections #1169 answers are out 🧩

The NYT Connections puzzle for Sunday, August 23 has been solved with hints and answers provided. The Yellow group contained potentially explosive things like time bomb and volcano. The Green group was identified as double vowels, including antifreeze and bazaar. Blue group words were made with potatoes, such as home fries and vodka. Finally, the Purple group consisted of household stain removers like vinegar and baking soda.