Chhattisgarh's Konta police seized 308 kg of ganja worth approximately ₹1.54 crore from a pickup van traveling from Malkangiri to Rajasthan. The contraband was hidden under salt bags. Two smugglers from Rajasthan, identified as Shiv Kumar Prajapati and Uday Ram Balai, were arrested and forwarded to court. https://sambad.in/state/308-kg-ganja-seized-in-malkangiri-two-rajasthan-based-traffickers-arrested-12392843

The Central Government has announced the National Sports Awards, notably excluding cricketers this year. For the first time since 2014, no player has been selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. While the selection committee initially recommended 24 names for the Arjuna Award, the Ministry approved only 17, including shuttler Gayatri Gopichand and chess player Divya Deshmukh. In the coaching category, three coaches, including boxing coach Chhotelal Yadav, received the Dronacharya Award. The Para-sports category saw a significant drop, with only two selections compared to 17 last year. https://odia.news18.com/photogallery/sport/arjuna-awards-list-announced-17-athletes-selected-no-khel-ratna-awarded-for-the-first-time-since-sps-ws-l-406005.html

A travel blogger recently exposed overcharging by catering staff on the Varanasi Express, where an 80-rupee veg thali was being sold for 140 rupees. After a video of the incident and the staff's misbehavior went viral on social media, IRCTC registered a complaint via RailMadad and initiated an investigation. Indian Railways rules state that passengers can refuse payment if a bill isn't provided, and contractors can face fines up to 1 lakh rupees for such irregularities. https://argusnews.in/travel-and-tourism/varanasi-express-overcharging-pantry-car-food-plate-indian-railway-response

Farmers in the Kesinga block of Kalahandi district are delighted as steady rains from a low-pressure system have accelerated paddy transplantation activities. Despite the continuous drizzle, farmers are actively working in fields across various villages like Dumermunda and Balsi. The Block Agriculture Officer, Jitendra Singh, noted that about 80% of the farmers have already completed their transplantation work, aiming for a total target of 10,000 hectares of cultivation this season. https://www.dharitri.com/rice-harvest-in-torrential-rain-farmers-are-filled-with-joy/

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda underwent angioplasty at AIIMS Delhi on August 17. He was admitted on August 13 following discomfort and was kept under the observation of the Cardiology department. According to a press release by AIIMS on August 18, his condition is stable and he remains under strict medical supervision. Angioplasty was performed to clear blocked coronary arteries and restore normal blood flow. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/union-health-minister-jp-nadda-undergoes-angioplasty-at-aiims-new-delhi-12392696

The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to reduce the number of IAS, IFS, and IPS officers to cut administrative costs. According to the proposal, the number of IAS officers will be reduced from 153 to 130 and IFS officers from 118 to 83. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the focus is on efficient implementation of schemes rather than a high number of officials. Each officer costs the state approximately 40 to 50 lakh rupees annually. The state also plans to request the center not to send more central service officers and will facilitate immediate central deputation for interested officers. https://otvkhabar.in/national/government-plans-officer-cuts-as-himachal-looks-to-reduce-bureaucratic-expenditure-12392821

Odisha Police organized a state-wide mass pledge ceremony under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan'. The program was held at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack and across 35 police districts, including all police stations. Senior officials, including DGP Binayatoshi Mishra, pledged to keep themselves, their families, and society free from drug abuse. The initiative aims to raise awareness and make Odisha drug-free, noting that over 17,000 NDPS cases are pending in courts and 48,000 youths are currently in de-addiction centers. https://sambad.in/state/odisha-police-conducts-statewide-nasha-nibaran-pledge-to-promote-drug-free-society-12392810

A new political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu involving Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and actress Trisha Krishnan. During the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St. George, Trisha was spotted sitting in the front row with Vijay's parents and saluting the CM. The ruling DMK, through its mouthpiece 'Murasoli', criticized the seating arrangement and the salute, questioning the dignity of the CM's office. This incident has reignited speculations about their closeness, although no official statements have been made by either party. https://argusnews.in/national/dmk-questions-trisha-vijay-salute-viral-video-stalin-party

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant created history during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka by becoming the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. He also became the fastest player in the world to reach this milestone, taking only 4,918 balls, breaking Adam Gilchrist's previous record of 6,578 balls. Pant is now the fourth player globally to achieve this feat after Brendon McCullum, Gilchrist, and Ben Stokes. https://odia.news18.com/photogallery/sport/rishabh-pant-record-first-indian-to-hit-100-sixes-in-tests-dkp-ws-l-405990.html

In a miraculous incident, a youth named Sunanda Behera was rescued alive after being swept away by floodwaters and missing for 5 days in Bhadrak district, Odisha. He survived by clinging to a palm tree amidst strong currents. The ODRAF team rescued him after locals spotted him, and he is currently undergoing medical treatment as his condition is serious. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/man-rescued-from-palm-tree-five-days-after-being-swept-away-in-floodwaters-12392657