Author: Sharad Natani
In a heartwarming tale of financial literacy and self-reliance, over 30,000 children in North Gujarat have become proud members of their very own children’s cooperative society, collectively saving over Rs30 crore to secure their educational future. Launched in 2011 in Banaskantha district, the Bal Adhikar Yuvak Mandal (BAYM) Children’s Cooperative Bank is not just a savings scheme — it’s a revolution in grassroots financial empowerment. Children as young as 10 learn to save, manage funds, and even elect their own bank committee to take critical decisions. Kids As Young as 10 Take Financial Charge Operating from 300+ schools, these young…
The way you use UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is changing — starting today, August 1, 2025, a fresh set of rules comes into effect, aimed at enhancing security, streamlining usage, and reducing fraud risks in India’s booming digital payments space. UPI, launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has redefined how Indians transfer money, turning smartphones into digital wallets for over 300 million users. Now, as India leads globally in real-time payments (as acknowledged by the IMF), the next phase of UPI evolution begins. What’s Changing from August 1? Here’s a breakdown of the new UPI…
In the heart of rural Tripura, a silent revolution is underway. A young IAS officer is harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to spark hope, fight dropout rates, and reshape the dreams of schoolchildren in one of the state’s most remote villages. Faced with persistent absenteeism and disinterest among students, the district administration of North Tripura introduced a unique initiative: AI-generated ‘Aspirational Boards’ that visually connect children to their future career ambitions. AI Meets Aspirations Using AI tools, the district officials generated lifelike images of students in their dream professions—doctors, engineers, pilots, IAS officers, sportspersons, and more. These images were…
In an inspiring tale of perseverance and purpose, Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak, a humble son of Odisha’s tribal soil, has ascended to the coveted post of Collector of Boudh district, etching a powerful narrative of grit and success. Born and raised in the remote village of Kalingi in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, Nayak’s story is not just his own—it echoes the hopes and dreams of countless youths in India’s underdeveloped regions. Surrounded by dense forests and far from urban amenities, young Bibhuti walked the dusty lanes of his village to study in the very school where his father once taught…
In a groundbreaking medical discovery, doctors in Bengaluru have identified a new, ultra-rare blood group — the first of its kind in the world — in a local woman, potentially rewriting the books on blood science and transfusion medicine. The discovery, confirmed after rigorous testing at a city hospital and validated by international researchers, is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation finding. The unnamed woman, undergoing tests for a routine medical procedure, stunned doctors when her blood failed to match any of the known 43 blood group systems recognized globally. A Mystery in the Veins According to experts, this rarest of…
Mark your calendars for August 2, 2025, as the world prepares to witness a rare cosmic spectacle—a total solar eclipse that will be one of the longest of the 21st century. While full totality will darken skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, India too will catch a partial glimpse of this celestial event, with 10–30% of the Sun obscured in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM IST. What Makes This Eclipse So Special? This eclipse occurs due to a perfect cosmic alignment: The Moon will be at its…