Author: Sharad Natani
Big relief for India’s 7 crore Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers — the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out ‘Passbook Lite’, a simplified feature on its Member Portal. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the initiative, calling it a major step toward single-login access for all PF-related services. What Subscribers Can Do Now Until now, members had to log in separately to the Passbook Portal to check their contributions, withdrawals, and balances. With Passbook Lite, subscribers can instantly view a summarised version of their passbook details right on the Member Portal — making the process faster, easier, and…
In a landmark move to reshape India’s higher education landscape, the government has announced the setting up of a Rs 500 crore Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre for Education Excellence, to be jointly hosted by IIT Kanpur, IIT Ropar, and IIT Jammu. This centre will act as a national hub for AI-driven learning solutions, spearheading research and development in personalised education, automated assessments, and intelligent classroom tools. The initiative signals a major step towards integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional learning models, making education more accessible, data-driven, and impactful. Driving the Next Generation of Learning The AI centre will focus on: Personalised…
A 40-year-old man with a long history of schizophrenia has recovered after undergoing a rare, complex surgery in Nagpur, where doctors successfully removed a razor blade lodged in his esophagus. The sharp object had been stuck for over two weeks, creating serious complications—and a full-thickness perforation—in the patient’s throat. The Medical Drama Patient History: The man had schizophrenia for 15 years. He was admitted to Midas Hospital complaining of difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) that had lasted about a week. His psychiatric evaluation revealed delusions, auditory hallucinations, and psychotic depression, suggesting the ingestion was not suicide but related to hallucinations. Diagnosis: Endoscopy…
A decade ago, the vast stretch of land near Jewar on the Yamuna plains was dominated by sugarcane fields and dotted with villages along the Yamuna Expressway. Fast forward to today, and this landscape is turning into one of India’s most ambitious aviation projects — Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport). When complete, this mega hub will not only rival major airports but also reshape the economic and logistical future of North India. From Concept to Construction The idea of a second major airport for the National Capital Region emerged from the growing congestion at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.…
They say it’s not circumstances but determination that shapes destiny. This holds true for C. Vanmathi, a young woman from a small village in Tamil Nadu who once herded buffaloes to support her family and is now an IAS officer inspiring millions across India. Her story is a testament to perseverance, education, and courage against all odds. Roots in Rural Tamil Nadu Born in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district, Vanmathi grew up in a modest household. Her father drove a taxi to sustain the family, while she spent her childhood tending to buffaloes in nearby fields. Yet, amidst the rural backdrop,…
In a small cycle repair shop, a teenage boy almost gave up his dream. Today, that same boy is an IAS officer with an All India Rank of 32. This is the inspiring story of Varun Baranwal, whose mother’s determination transformed hardship into history. “You Study, I’ll Run the Shop” — A Mother’s Promise Varun’s life changed overnight after his father, the sole breadwinner, passed away just after his Class 10 exams. With the family’s future uncertain, relatives urged him to quit studies and take over the puncture shop. But his mother refused. Her words became their battle cry: “You…