Author: Sharad Natani
A new study by AIIMS Raipur has sounded the alarm on India’s youngest digital natives. Children under 5 are spending an average of 2.2 hours a day on screens—twice the safe limit—raising serious concerns about their physical, mental, and social development. Infants Under 2 Also Exposed Even children under two years, for whom screen time should ideally be zero, are averaging 1.2 hours daily, the study revealed. The findings are based on a meta-analysis of 10 studies covering 2,857 children across India, published in the medical journal Cureus. What’s at Stake? Excessive screen exposure is linked to: Delayed language skills…
While most students are focused on exams and assignments, Amala Jose, a Business Management student from St Joseph’s College, Moolamattom, is tackling something far bigger: the global plastic crisis. With the help of her mentors and campus startup support, she has designed PenCanvas, a biodegradable pen that may help rewrite the story of plastic pollution. The journey began during a seminar at CIPET Kochi, where Amala first learned about bioplastics and biopolymers. “That session was a turning point. I realised everyday items like pens, often overlooked, are huge contributors to plastic waste,” Amala shared in an interview with Onmanorama. From…
In the middle of a terrifying night of chaos and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh, a 20-year-old woman from Sharan village in Mandi district fought an unimaginable battle—not just against nature, but for her life. Tuneja Thakur, now hailed as a miracle survivor, clawed through thick mud, jagged rocks, and crushing debris for five long hours, after being buried alive in a landslide triggered by flash floods on June 30. As relentless rain battered the Seraj valley, Tuneja was caught in a sudden landslide just steps from her house. “It was pitch dark. I heard people shouting, and then within seconds,…
The Haj Committee of India, operating under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, has officially opened the application process for Haj 2026, inviting Indian Muslims to begin their spiritual journey to Mecca by applying online. The application window is open from July 7 to July 31, 2025, and will close sharply at 11:59 PM on the final day. The Committee urges all interested applicants to ensure they apply well before the deadline and check their passport validity, which must extend beyond January 31, 2026. Key Guidelines for Haj 2026 Applicants Applications are to be submitted only through the official Haj Committee…
In a major move towards empowering women and improving urban mobility, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday launched the ‘Saheli Smart Card’, a new digital pass that will allow women and transgender individuals to ride free of cost on DTC and Cluster buses across the national capital. The initiative replaces the existing pink paper ticket system, which had come under fire for corruption and inefficiency, with a secure, digital, and trackable solution under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework. What is Saheli Smart Card? The Saheli Smart Card is a personalized digital travel pass with the user’s name and…
India is bracing for a major Bharat Bandh on Wednesday, July 9, as over 25 crore workers from both formal and informal sectors prepare to go on a nationwide strike. Public services are expected to face major disruptions, while schools and private offices are likely to remain unaffected. The strike has been called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions, including the AITUC, INTUC, CITU, and SEWA, along with support from farmers’ organisations and public sector employees. Why the Bharat Bandh? The protesting unions accuse the central government of: Enforcing anti-worker, anti-farmer, pro-corporate policies. Diluting labour rights through…