Author: Sharad Natani
She failed once. She missed success by just 2.5 marks the second time. But on her third attempt, Aashna Chaudhary cracked one of India’s toughest exams—without coaching—securing AIR 116 in UPSC CSE 2022. And now, the social media-savvy IPS officer has taken charge as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Mathura, marking a new chapter in her inspiring journey. At just 26, Aashna represents the new face of Indian policing—intelligent, resilient, grounded, and connected with the public, both on duty and online. A Scholar with a Purpose Born on August 28, 1998, in Pilkhuwa (Hapur district, UP), Aashna’s academic credentials…
In a significant update likely to change the way we use messaging apps, WhatsApp is working on a new feature called ‘Guest Chats’, which allows users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. This move not only enhances privacy but also makes communication more flexible—especially for one-time interactions like customer support, temporary groups, or online marketplace discussions. According to a report published by WABetaInfo, the ‘Guest Chats’ feature was spotted in a beta version of WhatsApp for Android (version 2.24.14.11). The update indicates that WhatsApp might soon allow users to interact with others via temporary usernames or chat IDs rather…
As the sacred festival of Janmashtami 2025 draws near, India is preparing to immerse itself in vibrant devotion, music, and mythology. Celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, this festival brings cities and temples to life with midnight prayers, Rasleela performances, Dahi Handi events, and chants of “Jai Shri Krishna.” This year, Janmashtami will be celebrated on Friday, August 15, with Dahi Handi festivities lighting up the streets the next day on Saturday, August 16. If you’re planning a spiritual retreat or just want to witness India’s cultural richness, here are 7 iconic destinations to experience the grandeur of…
In a significant crackdown on subsidy fraud, the Indian government has blocked more than 4 crore fake or duplicate LPG connections under its flagship PAHAL (Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG) scheme, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Rajya Sabha. Reforms Reinforce Transparency and Accountability Responding to a Starred Question in Parliament, Puri detailed that the reforms—including Aadhaar-based verification, biometric authentication, and a centralised LPG database—have helped in accurately targeting beneficiaries and curbing misuse of subsidised cooking gas. As of July 1, 2025, an impressive 92.44% of India’s 33.05 crore active LPG consumers had linked their Aadhaar, while 86.78% of…
In a major policy change, the United States has announced stricter visa regulations for certain categories of business travellers and tourists. The move, aimed at tightening national security and preventing visa misuse, is expected to impact thousands of applicants globally — including many from India. What’s Changing? According to the U.S. State Department, additional documentation and background verification will now be required for applicants under specific B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa categories. The new rules are part of a broader effort to ensure that visa holders strictly follow the conditions of their stay in the U.S. Applicants will undergo:…
The global cryptocurrency market shook last week as major tokens experienced steep price slides—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Ripple, and the Pi Network were among those bearing the brunt. Despite a mild recovery in the last 24 hours, the overall market tone remains sharply bearish. Bitcoin and Ethereum Dip Deep Bitcoin, the world’s leading crypto asset, tumbled over 4% in the past seven days—falling below the crucial $115,000 support level. This drop triggered mass liquidations, with over $713 million in long positions wiped out, mostly on exchanges like Binance and OKX. Ethereum, the second-largest crypto, lost around 10%, aligning with its typical…