Grow nutritious spinach at home in limited spaces using plastic bottles. This method is ideal for flat dwellers, utilizing 2-liter bottles filled with a mix of soil, cow dung powder, and coco peat. By avoiding chemical fertilizers and ensuring proper sunlight on balconies, one can easily harvest fresh, organic greens. https://keralakaumudi.com/news/lifestyle/agriculture/plastic-bottle-spinach-farming-1790095

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay participated in the 'Drug-Free Tamil Nadu' awareness program at Chennai Presidency College. He honored 15 police officers with medals for their exceptional work in anti-drug operations. The CM administered an anti-drug pledge to students and virtually monitored the destruction of seized drugs across various districts. He also presented awards to schools and colleges for their anti-drug clubs and released an awareness video promoting drug-free educational institutions. https://www.polimernews.com/tamilnadunews/chief-minister-participates-in-drug-free-tamil-nadu-event-12252481

UEFA has appointed Somalian referee Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa, despite him being barred from the World Cup by US authorities. Artan was previously detained for 11 hours at Miami airport and deported due to security concerns and travel restrictions on Somalian passport holders. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin's decision is seen as a major political move against FIFA and the US administration. Artan becomes the first non-European referee to officiate the Super Cup. https://www.madhyamam.com/sports/football/uefa-appoints-referee-banned-from-world-cup-for-super-cup-clash-1545165

The new BJP government in West Bengal has signaled a major shift in the Durga Puja donation policy. Instead of providing grants to all police-approved clubs as previously done, the administration plans to offer financial aid only to needy committees with budgets under 10 lakh rupees. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari aims to ensure transparency and proper utilization of government funds by prioritizing financially weak committees over self-sufficient ones. The grant, which started at 50,000 rupees in 2020 and reached 1.10 lakh rupees, will now follow this need-based criterion. https://www.aajkaal.in/west-bengal/durga-puja-2026-wb-government-set-to-revise-durga-puja-grant-allocations-what-are-the-criteria-509034

A grand decoration of Baba Shyam was held at the Manchapuran Mahadev and Shyam Temple in Jodhpur's Chopasni Housing Board. Special red roses were brought from Kolkata to decorate the deity's court. Devotees flocked to the temple since morning to witness the divine form and offer prayers for prosperity. Priest Jairaj Ramchandani highlighted that such special events, including bhajans and prasad distribution, have been a tradition since the idol's installation four years ago. https://hindi.news18.com/photogallery/rajasthan/jodhpur-manchapurn-mahadev-temple-baba-shyam-red-rose-shringar-jodhpur-news-local18-10736358.html

Sawan Shivratri will be celebrated on August 11, 2026. According to the Hindu calendar, Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 04:54 AM on Aug 11 and ends at 01:52 AM on Aug 12. The most auspicious time for Jalabhishek is after 03:25 PM following the conclusion of Bhadra. The deity will be worshipped in four Prahars, starting from 07:04 PM. Devotees are advised to perform Rudrabhishek and chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for special blessings. Offering milk, Belpatra, and honey to the Shivling is highly significant. https://www.inkhabar.com/religion/sawan-shivratri-2026-kab-hai-shubh-muhurt-puja-vidhi-know-more-274489/

Deep Amavasya 2026 will be celebrated on August 12. The article highlights the tradition of worshipping lamps and performing 'Aukshan' for children using lamps made of wheat dough. The auspicious time for this ritual is between 7:08 PM and 7:31 PM on Wednesday. The ritual is believed to protect children from negative energies and bring prosperity. This day also marks the conclusion of the Ashadh month, welcoming the holy month of Shravan. https://marathi.abplive.com/astro/deep-amavasya-2026-hindu-religion-marathi-news-do-not-miss-this-auspicious-time-to-perform-ritual-of-waving-lamps-for-young-children-how-many-times-should-the-ritual-be-performed-learn-about-the-worship-religious-significance-1435199

Spending long hours in air-conditioned offices can severely damage your skin by reducing humidity levels to 10-20%, leading to Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This causes dryness, premature aging, and can worsen conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Experts recommend staying hydrated, using humidifiers, and applying moisturizer every 4-6 hours to maintain the skin barrier. https://www.politentnews.com/health/office-ac-could-be-drying-out-your-skin-know-the-hidden-risks-1621496

Nag Panchami will be celebrated on August 17, 2026. This day holds great significance in Hinduism for worshipping Nag Devta and Lord Shiva. The article highlights powerful mantras like 'Om Namah Nagaya' and 'Om Nagrajaya Namah' to overcome the fear of snake bites and Kaalsarp Dosh. Chanting these mantras 108 or 21 times is believed to remove astrological hurdles, diseases, and provide protection, especially for those living in rural areas. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/religion/nag-panchami-2026-which-mantras-you-can-chant-on-nag-panchami/3286714

A rare total solar eclipse is occurring today, where the moon aligns between the Earth and the Sun, creating a daytime darkness. While it will be visible in regions like Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, it won't be visible in India as it occurs at 11:16 PM IST. The next total solar eclipse is expected in August 2027, which also won't be visible from India. https://www.dinamaalai.com/news/todays-total-solar-eclipse-will-take-place-can-you-see-it/cid19115508.htm