⛽ Petrol prices: government clarifies no direct control

The government stated that petrol and diesel prices are market-driven, not directly controlled by them. Minister Suresh Gopi explained that India's price increase between June 2021 and June 2026 was lower compared to developed and neighboring nations. In Delhi, petrol rose 8.1% and diesel increased 11.5% during that period. PSU oil companies absorbed much of the hike, leading to losses for IOC, BPCL, and HPCL in Q1 2026-27. The government cut excise duty by ₹10 per litre in March 2026 to protect consumers. ⛽

🤰 Modern Thalli Bidda Express Kicking Off Soon

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav is set to launch 102 modern Thalli Bidda Express vehicles on August 11 in Narasaraopet. These upgraded vehicles are designed to offer safer and more convenient travel for pregnant women and mothers. The state government is procuring 500 vehicles in total, with 300 in the initial phase and 200 later. The vehicles feature air-conditioning, six airbags, GPS tracking, and health-awareness messaging. This service aims to improve maternal and newborn care, with a proposed budget of ₹37.40 crore for 2026–27. 🤰

💻 Kodagu artisans learn AI and e-commerce via PM Vishwakarma

About 150 tailor beneficiaries from the PM Vishwakarma scheme attended a training program in Kushalnagar, Kodagu district. The event was organized by the MSME-DFO, Mangaluru, in collaboration with the local tailors' association. Participants got practical guidance on using AI tools, digital marketing, and e-commerce onboarding. Officials stressed adopting digital tech to boost visibility and business competitiveness. Moving forward, artisans can use Udyam Registration to access various government benefits.

⛰️ Landslide cuts Gavi off from Pathanamthitta

A massive landslide struck the Sabarimala forests, severing the road link to the remote settlement of Gavi. This happened near the valve house along the Moozhiyar-Gavi route, about 7 km from 40 Acres Colony. The incident occurred around midnight on July 31, creating a prolonged travel crisis for residents. Workers are hesitant to clear the debris due to fears of another slide amid heavy rain. The KFDC is currently providing aid through medical camps and deploying ambulances for emergency evacuations. 😥

🧐 Drone inside Periyar Tiger Reserve sparks probe

The Kerala Forest department initiated an investigation after a group, including Tamil Nadu MLAs, flew a drone inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This incident occurred while a team was near the Mullaperiyar dam in Thekkady on August 8, 2026. Officials confirmed the drone operation happened without permission from the Kerala Forest department or Kerala Police. The Kerala Forest department has officially filed a complaint with the Tamil Nadu Water Resources department regarding this violation. Following the complaint, the concerned Tamil Nadu MLA subsequently removed the drone video from his Instagram account. 🧐

👘 How one woman changed the saree look 👘

Many women historically wore sarees without blouses or petticoats, but Jnanadanandini Devi changed this tradition. She lived in Bengal and adapted the saree style after being denied entry to a British club. Inspired by Parsi women in Bombay, she introduced the Brahmika Saree featuring a stitched blouse and petticoat. This adaptation made it easier for women to participate in public life and spread across India. Today, the blouse has evolved into a canvas for diverse creativity.

⚖️ Court orders compensation for sisters held against will

The Allahabad High Court ordered a joint payment of ₹25 lakh compensation to two adult sisters. The order was passed by Justice Sandeep Jain concerning Diya Bhatia @ Zoya Diya Bhatia (20) and Anshu Bhatia @ Amina Anshu Bhatia (35) in Uttar Pradesh. The sisters converted to Islam voluntarily in 2020 and 2021, but their father confined them. The Court ruled that parental authority must yield to constitutional liberty once a person attains majority. This ruling also found faults with the State machinery for allowing the illegal detention to continue. ⚖️

🌍 Polavaram marks first Indigenous Peoples Day

Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar assured better governance and welfare for the tribal population during the first International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This event took place in Rampachodavaram, attended by MLA Miriyala Sirisha Devi and S. Bojji Reddi. Tribal groups, including Koyas and Konda Reddis, participated in a rally showcasing traditional attire and the Kommu Koya dance. Mr. Kumar stated that efforts are underway to create awareness about the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. MLA Miriyala Sireesha Devi urged the tribals to prepare for necessary sacrifices for proposed development projects in the area.

🚁 Self-Taught Guy Builds Flying Car in Uttarakhand

Ravi Tamta successfully completed the maiden test flight of his electric flying vehicle after 13 years of intense research. He developed this VTOL prototype in Almora, Uttarakhand, despite not holding an engineering degree. His journey involved self-teaching through the internet with parental support throughout the process. This innovation follows earlier projects like phone-charging shoes and smart walking sticks. Ravi's achievement proves that determination can drive major inventions outside traditional academic settings.

🚆 112 special trains announced for Kerala's Onam festival

Indian Railways has announced 112 special trains to and from Kerala to manage the massive demand for the Onam festival. This initiative was coordinated by Southern Railway with SCR, SWR, and SER. These special services are scheduled to run primarily between August 14 and September 06. The railways plan to keep monitoring travel trends and add more trains if needed. Furthermore, the notified trips have nearly doubled from 55 in 2025 to 112 in 2026.

📉 Indian refiners shrinking LPG losses in August

Major state-controlled refiners selling LPG retail saw their losses decrease in August. Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL reported a nearly threefold reduction in losses this month compared to July. The revenue loss has dropped to $1.97 per household cylinder, down from $5.25 in July. This is happening amidst supply issues after the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. The government is working to ensure household fuel availability and push pipeline gas expansion.