🌾 Kashmir farmers switch to lotus stem farming

A new sucker technology from SKUAST's Krishi Vigyan Kendra is changing lotus stem cultivation in Kashmir Valley. This initiative helps farmers in Wular bank areas convert flooded rice fields into profitable plots. Initial demo farms project yields up to 10 quintals per kanal and earnings of ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per kanal. This move helps restore production lost in natural water bodies like Wular Lake since 2014. Furthermore, the technology opens up post-harvest chances like chips and flour for local youth. 🌾

🇮🇳 Vande Mataram full stanzas released amid celebrity beef

The complete six stanzas of Vande Mataram have been released to the public. This release comes amidst ongoing public disagreements between Sharmila Tagore and Kangana Ranaut. The text itself is a significant piece of nationalistic literature. These cultural moments often spark wider discussions about patriotism in India. Further public engagement with the text is expected following this release.

🔥 Jadavpur University files police complaints over campus clash

Jadavpur University officially filed police complaints regarding the violence that occurred on its grounds. The incident involved a clash between ABVP members and Left-leaning student groups at the university in Kolkata. This confrontation happened on Thursday, August 20, 2026, leading to several injuries and fire incidents. Complaints covered gate damage, setting festoons on fire, and stone pelting near gate number 4. The university is seeking an investigation to prevent similar disruptions moving forward. 🚨

🤖 Robotic dogs coming to guard Tirumala hills

The TTD is looking into using AI-powered robotic dogs to monitor wildlife and improve safety on trekking routes in Tirumala. Senior officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary inspected the quadruped robot at the Sri Padmavathi Guest House recently. The unit features 360-degree LiDAR and thermal cameras for all-weather surveillance. It can identify threats like leopards near paths and send live geo-tagged alerts to response teams. This tech will supplement human guards, enhancing overall safety in the forest. 🤖

⛰️ Dad leaves tired 7yo son alone on Mount Fuji

A 7-year-old boy was left alone on Mount Fuji after his father told him to wait while continuing the climb. This incident happened last week on the Fujinomiya Trail where the 48-year-old father was with his two sons. The younger boy was left near the sixth station around 4:30 a.m., despite reporting tiredness. A mountain hut worker found him at 7:40 a.m. and police intervened, leading the father to return for his son. ⛰️

📈 Pakistan targets India with sugar exports

Pakistan is looking to push its surplus sugar stocks into the Indian market. This move is being driven by liquidity pressure faced by domestic mills in Pakistan. The country is reportedly aiming to increase sugar exports to India in the near future. This strategic push addresses the internal supply glut experienced by Pakistani sugar producers. Further details on the volume and timelines are expected to be announced soon. 📈

🚗 DMK MLAs reject government cars, political clash heats up

All 59 DMK MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly have decided to forgo the government-provided cars for legislators. This decision was announced by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Assembly on Friday. The proposal involved providing vehicles and monthly allowances to all 234 MLAs, announced by CM C Joseph Vijay. The DMK cited concerns over the state exchequer's financial condition for their refusal. Meanwhile, Minister Aadhav Arjuna defended the provision, calling transport a necessity for elected representatives.

💰 ₹9 Crore Cash Seized Near Bengaluru-Tamil Nadu Highway

Income Tax officials seized a massive ₹9 crore in unaccounted cash from an SUV traveling from Bengaluru towards Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The Bengaluru City Police intercepted the vehicle, registration KL 20 T 8629, near BETL Toll on August 18th around 10:30 p.m. During the search, the cash was found, and one occupant, Sachin, 42, from Sindhu Jewellers, was detained. Further searches in Tamil Nadu led to the seizure of an additional ₹1.3 crore in cash. The Income Tax Department is now investigating the source and final destination of all the seized funds. 🧐

🤖 Nothing OS 5.0 based on Android 17 drops Aug 25

Nothing has officially confirmed the launch of Nothing OS 5.0, which is built upon Android 17. The unveiling is scheduled for August 25 at 11:00 BST, according to an announcement on X. Eligible phones include the Nothing Phone (4a) and several Phone (3) models. The update might bring more personalization and colourful visual elements to the interface. Details on the stable rollout and full features will be revealed during the August 25 event. 📱

💸 SBI withdrawal fees change starting October 1st

SBI is changing its cash withdrawal rules effective October 1st for BSBD accounts. Customers in branches will now pay Rs 15 plus GST for withdrawals exceeding four free transactions monthly. Previously, AePS transactions were exempt, but this exclusion has now been removed under the revised policy. Meanwhile, SBI also lowered interest rates on domestic bulk term deposits starting August 15th. The bank reported a 10.23% net profit increase in Q1FY27.

🧑‍🚀 VR might boost astronauts' mental health

Researchers are exploring virtual reality to improve the mental wellness of astronauts during long space missions. The study was conducted by Texas A&M University on sailors aboard a US Navy ship for two weeks. Participants used HTC Vive Pro Eye headsets combined with a compact scent generator featuring real-world smells. The goal was to create immersive experiences mimicking nature to combat isolation. The results showed reduced negative emotions, suggesting broad benefits beyond space travel. 🚀