Carin Ronsley, an 80-year-old Irish citizen, has been cleaning the historic water bodies of Jodhpur for over a decade. Arriving in India in 2014, he was moved by the poor state of the city's stepwells and started his cleaning initiative. Locally known as 'Pagal Sahib,' his efforts were recently highlighted by industrialist Anand Mahindra. Following this, Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari met him to appreciate his dedication to preserving the city's water resources. https://eisamay.com/positive-news/irish-citizen-caron-ronsley-is-cleaning-jodhpur-lakes-and-waterbodies/200530812.cms

A joint team of Food & Drug Administration and Police conducted a special drive in the Bori area of Durg district under Collector Abhijit Singh's instructions. On August 11, 2026, the team inspected shops within 100 yards of school premises to enforce tobacco control laws. Fines totaling Rs 2,150 were collected from 15 shopkeepers for violating Sections 4 and 6 of the COTPA Act 2003. Schools inspected included PM Shri School Bori and High School Anjora Dhaba. The administration warned against selling tobacco to minors and emphasized a tobacco-free environment for students, stating that such operations will continue in the future. https://jantaserishta.com/local/chhattisgarh/action-taken-against-tobacco-sellers-near-schools-15-shopkeepers-fined-4826903

Marathi Warasa YouTube channel has announced a logo design competition for its viewers. The contest invites fans to design a new identity for the channel that represents Marathi culture. The top three winners will receive prizes and a special chance to visit the sets of the popular series 'Savitribai Jotirao Phule' to meet the cast. The deadline for online entries is August 14, 2026. Actor Amol Kolhe emphasized that this initiative aims to strengthen the bond between the channel and its audience by involving them directly in the branding process. https://www.navarashtra.com/entertainment/marathi-serial/marathi-warasa-new-logo-contest-public-participation-august-14-1306337.html

South Indian megastar Chiranjeevi recently highlighted the importance of preventive health checkups like colonoscopy for cancer prevention. He shared that during a routine checkup, non-cancerous polyps were detected and removed, which could have otherwise turned into cancer. He urged people over 40-45 to prioritize health screenings. The article also provides medical advice on how to prepare for a colonoscopy, including dietary changes and medication adjustments under a doctor's supervision. https://gujarati.indianexpress.com/lifestyle/chiranjeevi-colonoscopy-advice-test-cancer-prevention-sc-12253505

On the occasion of Shivratri 2026, devotees can follow specific rituals mentioned in the Shiv Mahapuran to seek Lord Shiva's blessings. According to religious beliefs, performing Jalabhishek with Ganga water while chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' is highly beneficial. Offering whole Bilva leaves and performing milk Abhishekam brings prosperity. Chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra with a Rudraksha rosary, performing prayers during the four watches of the night, and donating to the needy are key practices to please Mahadev and fulfill one's wishes. https://samacharnama.com/astrology/shivratri-2026-take-these-measures-to-please-lord-shiva-on/cid19108588.htm

The Supreme Court of India is examining the constitutional validity of 'Talaq-e-Hasan', a practice in Muslim Personal Law where a husband can divorce his wife over a three-month period. Following the 2017 ban on instant triple talaq, several women, including journalist Benazeer Heena, have challenged this practice, arguing it violates fundamental rights like equality and personal liberty. While the practice allows for reconciliation between pronouncements, petitioners claim its unilateral nature is arbitrary. The court's decision will address the balance between religious personal laws and constitutional gender justice. https://gujaratmitra.in/divorce-in-three-months-but-a-chance-for-reconciliation-in-between-what-is-talaq-e-hasan-among-muslims-why-did-the-matter-reach-the-supreme-court/

The Tamil Nadu government has filed a status report in the Supreme Court alleging that the Kerala government has been obstructing the strengthening and maintenance of the Mullaperiyar Dam for 12 years. Despite court orders to cut trees for machinery transport and TN paying Rs 87.64 lakh for Vallakadavu road repairs, Kerala has not acted. TN also claimed Kerala is not sharing rainfall and flood data, and requested the court's intervention to complete dam maintenance and strengthen the Baby Dam. https://www.dinakaran.com/news/mullaperiyar-dam-kerala-govts-obstruction-supreme-court-tamilnadu-govt/

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

The article explains how to identify adulteration in coffee powder using simple one-minute home tests. Common adulterants include chicory, tamarind seeds, date seeds, and roasted grains. Consuming adulterated coffee can lead to digestive issues like heartburn and bloating. The article suggests water tests, finger-rub tests, and iodine tests to check purity, while emphasizing the importance of buying from reliable sources and checking FSSAI certification. https://www.seithipunal.com/life-style/is-coffee-you-drink-adulterated-simple-1-minute-test-to-determine-qu

Learn how to make 200g of soft, adulteration-free paneer at home using just 1 liter of full cream milk. With concerns over detergent and urea in market-bought paneer during the festive season, this guide provides a step-by-step process using lemon juice or vinegar. Key tips include washing the curd in cold water to remove acidity and not over-boiling to maintain a soft texture. The homemade paneer stays fresh for up to 4 days when stored in water inside an airtight container. https://bangla.asianetnews.com/life/lifestyle/homemade-paneer-recipe-5-steps-how-to-make-paneer-at-home/articleshow-ib5tuc6