#Yak

Star Citizens

14-Year-Old Roller Skating Prodigy Shines on Global Stage

In an inspiring display of talent and determination, a 14-year-old roller skating prodigy from Vijayawada has emerged victorious on the global stage. Kyvalya Kopparapu, with his exceptional skills, has secured two gold medals at the Asian Roller-Skating Championship, showcasing his prowess and determination. Hailing from Vijayawada, Kyvalya embarked on his roller skating journey at the tender age of 4. Encouraged by his curiosity, he quickly turned his interest into a passion that has now brought him international recognition. Despite facing challenges such as the lack of proper skating rinks in his hometown, Kyvalya persevered and excelled in the sport. Under the guidance of Panchada Satyanarayana, Team India's artistic skating coach and a qualified referee, Kyvalya honed his skills and steadily amassed an impressive collection of medals. His journey to the Asian Roller-Skating Championship was not an easy one, but Kyvalya's determination and hard work paid off. In the individual in-line skating event, Kyvalya showcased his exceptional abilities by defeating a skilled skater from Taiwan. With a mere 0.4-point difference in the first event, he surged ahead in the second event, clinching gold with a remarkable 4-point lead over his opponent. Additionally, Kyvalya participated in the pair skating category, securing two gold medals alongside his partner from Vijayawada, Chaitanya Deepika. Not only is Kyvalya a talented athlete, but he has also excelled academically, receiving the General Proficiency Award at NSM Public School for three consecutive years. His achievements have garnered recognition and appreciation from various organizations. He was also awarded the Bala Pratibha Puraskar Award. Kyvalya's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and highlights the potential and talent present in young individuals. With his remarkable achievements, he has firmly established himself as a roller skating prodigy from Vijayawada, leaving a lasting impact on the global stage.

13 Dec 2023

Star Citizens

Environmental Warriors Unite to Restore Ecosystem: A Gang of Greens on a Mission

In an inspiring display of unity and determination, a group of passionate individuals has come together to restore a broken ecosystem in the Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary. Aptly named the "Gang of Greens," these environmental warriors are taking action to combat the detrimental effects of human interference and environmental degradation. Led by the Kanniyakumari Nature Foundation, an NGO comprising volunteers from various professions, the Gang of Greens launched a cleanliness drive to remove broken glass, predominantly liquor bottles, from the district's forest cover. Collaborating with the district forest department, they have successfully collected over 2.5 tonnes of glass bottles from two forest areas within the sanctuary. The volunteers, equipped with safety gear and driven by their love for nature, have been diligently working to clear the forest of this hazardous debris. The broken glass poses a significant threat to wildlife, causing severe injuries and infections. By removing these dangerous remnants, the Gang of Greens aims to create a safer environment for the sanctuary's diverse flora and fauna. The initiative's founder, Vinod Sadhasivan, expressed plans to expand their efforts and raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation. District Forest Officer M Ilayaraja emphasized the need to keep the environment clean and safe, as garbage releases toxic chemicals that disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The Gang of Greens is a shining example of the power of collective action and individual responsibility. With their unwavering dedication, they seek to inspire others to join their cause and protect our precious ecosystems. It is the responsibility of every individual, tourist, and visitor to keep the environment clean and safeguard the interdependence between wildlife and forests.

28 Sep 2023

Star Citizens

Meet the First IAF Woman Pilot To Participate in Aerial War Games Abroad

The first female fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), squadron leader Avani Chaturvedi will be adding another feather to her cap. She will be leading a team of women officers to take part in the opening air exercise Veer Guardian 2023. The goal of the exercise Veer Guardian is to improve India and Japan's bilateral air defense cooperation. Earlier, women officers have taken part in war games when foreign contingents visited India. However, this would be the first time women officers will be representing India abroad. From January 16 to January 26, Veer Guardian 2023 will take place in Japan at the Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace in Omitama as well as the Iruma Air Base in Sayama. According to Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth who is Avani Chaturvedi's classmate and one of the first three female fighter pilots, the Su-30MKIs used by the Indian Air Force are among the greatest and most lethal vehicles equipped with indigenous weapon systems. A flexible multirole combat aircraft, the Su-30MKi is capable of performing simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. This aircraft is special in that it can perform maneuvers at both high and low speeds. It can perform extremely long-range missions and has high endurance, said Squadron Leader Bhavna Kanth. The aircraft has state-of-the-art avionics and is capable of integrating any of the newest weaponry and performing missions, she added.

9 Jan 2023

Star Citizens

Bengaluru Lake Gets a New Life Thanks to the Dedicated Efforts of This Lake Activist

Revathi Kamath, a lake activist has played a major role in alleviating the woes of villagers of Neguli panchayat on Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru. The villagers were distressed by a foul odor coming from the polluted Naganayakanahalli Lake. The overwhelming odor was all around as the lake comprising two acres hadn't been desilted in the previous three decades. Kamath organized men, supplies, and resources to clean it up. With the help of resources and labor, she was able to clear the two acres of silt from the lake. Although the filthy silt was dumped at one corner, she assured the villagers that it will be removed within a few days, and full-scale revitalization work would start. She stated there were two problems to be addressed. First, Kanakapura's neighboring villagers have been polluting the water body by dumping untreated sewage. Secondly, she claimed that though the villagers have been very cooperative, officials are taking their time processing paperwork pertaining to shifting the 11KV cables that ran through the middle of the lake. Kamath, 63 has been into lake development for the past six years. As urbanization accelerated, sewage and industrial runoff contaminated lakes. Rapid urbanization, an inflow of people, and the ensuing demand for land led to the decline of lakes. Thanks to the persistent efforts of star citizens like Kamath, many such lakes have been revived.

12 Dec 2022

Star Citizens

This Caring Lady Has Changed a Thousand Lives Through Kayakalpa

In 1993, when people were not much aware of AIDS, Seema Waghmode had joined a state government’s research team in India for HIV-AIDS. That is how she came to Budhwar Peth, a red light area in Pune. She was so appalled by the condition of women and children there that she opened an NGO named Kayakalpa to take care of sex workers and their children. Kayakalpa Seema felt sorry for these unfortunate children who were born into the lives that they hadn’t asked for. She worried about the innocent children and pondered about giving them their basic rights. That is when she set up Kayakalpa in 1994 at Budhwar Peth which also is the first NGO to cater to HIV/AIDS patients, while also working as a rehabilitation centre for the children of sex workers. Rehabilitating Children Seema later tied up with YMCA Pune to open a day and night care facility to house the children. In 2015, with funding from a Scottish charity organization, she set up The Free to Live Trust, a Child Development Centre of 6,500 sq ft on the land donated by her in-laws in Bori Village. According to Seema, everybody is welcome there. Rescued sex workers look after the children. Seema’s organization arranges for food and the children to go to school. Good work doesn’t go unnoticed and in 2004, Kayakalpa was offered funding for six years from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and later in 2008, the Gates family paid a visit to their facility. Seema faced innumerable difficulties while rescuing and rehabilitating the sex workers and their children, yet she continues undeterred changing lives for the better. Image Source: YourStory

24 Oct 2019

Star Citizens

The Shop Shutters in Bohri Aali Now Look Vibrant and Fascinating

If you ever take a walk along the roads of Bohri Aali in Raviwar Peth, you will notice something unusual about the shop shutters there. They don’t look plain and simple but, vibrant and fascinating. Adorned by mesmerizing paintings, the shutters look nothing short of captivating. The collaborative street art project is formed under A Fresh Coat which is co-founded by Alefiya Kachwalla and Annushka Hardikar. And together they utilized their creativity to add life to the shutters of the stores and Bohri Aali. And not just the duo also worked hard to escalate the customer base of the shops through their artwork. Alefiya’s Attachment with Bohri Aali Alefiya’s father owns a shop in Bohri Aali called King’s Stationery therefore, she has always been close to that place. And while talking about people’s perception regarding peth areas, she told Indian Express: “When people think of the Peth areas, they just see them as crowded and noisy, but each shop has its own story to tell, and we didn’t want that legacy to be forgotten.” Art to Showcase The Beautiful Stories Annushka and Alefiya visited the stores in the area to understand what the shop owners were looking at. And once they got an idea of it, they came up with beautiful paintings which showcased what the shopkeepers were visualizing. The first phase of the project started in April and it concluded in May and now they want to make their second phase much more successful. Art is an amazing way to depict stories about places and thanks to Alefiya and Annushka for highlighting the tales of Bohri Aali through their paintings. Image Courtesy: A Fresh Coat Facebook

19 Jul 2019

Star Citizens

Global News

The Ocean's Ultimate Melody: A Kayaker's Unforgettable Duet with Beluga Whales

As humans, we are often amazed by the intelligence and beauty of the animal kingdom, but we are also sometimes reminded of the delicate balance that must be maintained between us and the other species that share our planet. This was the case for a kayaker who set out hoping to encounter some beluga whales and instead found himself in the middle of an unforgettable inter-species duet. The kayaker's innovative approach of singing at the top of his lungs actually managed to draw in a pod of these smaller whales, who began to interact with his kayak. After a period of disbelief, he dove into the water, singing as he went, and to his surprise, the belugas began to sing back to him. While the exact meaning behind the beluga's behavior is still up for interpretation, it is clear that these marine mammals are capable of communicating via high-frequency sounds that could resemble singing. As one YouTube commenter noted, it was a beautiful moment, but the little whales shouldn't take the strange singing man home. In the end, the kayaker's journey serves as a reminder that while it is important to appreciate and study the beauty and intelligence of the animal kingdom, we must also respect their space and their independence. Our planet is home to many fascinating species, and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve their habitats, so they can continue to thrive for generations to come.

7 Feb 2023

Global News

Positive Reads

Gangtok: The Land of Monasteries

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and adventure activities. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the city offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and forests. With its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and clean and well-maintained streets, Gangtok is a city that attracts tourists from all over the world. One of the main attractions of Gangtok is its natural beauty, with numerous scenic spots and trekking routes that offer breathtaking views of the Himalayas. For adventure enthusiasts, Gangtok offers a range of activities, including trekking, paragliding, and mountain biking. The city is also a hub for spiritual tourism, with many monasteries and shrines that draw visitors seeking peace and tranquility. Another highlight of Gangtok is its rich cultural heritage, with traditional festivals and events taking place throughout the year. From the colorful Flower Show and the lively Bonn Dance Festival to the intriguing Yak Festival, there’s always something exciting happening in Gangtok. Apart from its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Gangtok is also famous for its delicious food and shopping destinations. The city’s local street food is a treat for foodies, with a wide variety of dishes and flavors to choose from. From the popular Momos to the spicy Thukpa, there’s something for everyone. Gangtok is a must-visit tourist destination for anyone looking for an adventure-packed holiday or a peaceful retreat. So, pack your bags and head to Gangtok for an unforgettable holiday experience!

3 Feb 2023

Positive Reads

Kanyakumari: The Southernmost Tip of Mainland India

Kanyakumari, located in the southernmost tip of India, is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, cultural significance, and rich history. With its mix of breathtaking beaches, pristine backwaters, and towering hills, Kanyakumari offers something for everyone. One of the most famous landmarks in Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a tribute to the spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. The memorial stands on a massive rock in the sea, and offers panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Visitors can reach the memorial by ferry and take a guided tour to learn about its history and significance. Another popular attraction in Kanyakumari is the Our Lady of Ransom Church, which is one of the oldest churches in India. With its Gothic architecture and peaceful surroundings, the church is a peaceful haven for visitors and a popular place for meditation and prayer. In addition to its religious and cultural significance, Kanyakumari is also known for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors can take a leisurely walk along the beach or go for a swim in the clear waters. The Kanyakumari beach is also a popular spot for sunrise and sunset viewing, as the sun appears to rise and set over the ocean. For those looking to explore the local culture, Kanyakumari offers a range of traditional arts and crafts, including bronze sculptures, pottery, and hand-woven textiles. Visitors can also take a cooking class to learn about the local cuisine and savor the flavors of South India. With its mix of natural beauty, cultural significance, and rich history, this charming town is sure to leave a lasting impression on its visitors.

2 Feb 2023

Positive Reads

Cycling Courage: A 22-Year-Old's Kashmir to Kanyakumari Expedition to Empower Girls

Muskan Raghuwanshi, a 22-year-old woman from Ashoknagar district, is embarking on a 25-day Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) expedition on her bicycle. Her goal is to prove that girls can achieve anything they set their minds to and to send a message of empowerment to women everywhere. Despite facing body shaming and negative comments when she first started cycling, Muskan's courage and determination inspired other girls in her hometown to take up the sport. She completed the Narmada Parikrama on her bicycle in 2021. During her K2K expedition, Muskan will cycle between 150 and 200 km per day, with her family members accompanying her for support. She hopes to inspire others to embrace the many benefits of cycling, both for fitness and as a way to experience new things in life. Muskan has the distinction of finishing a number of other cycling competitions, including 200 km in Bhopal and 600 km in Gwalior. Muskan has faced many adversities during her expeditions, including negative comments from people who were skeptical about how a girl can perform such an arduous task. Nevertheless, the gritty girl proclaims that no matter what, she will continue to cycle. By cycling from Jammu to Kovilapattu in Tamil Nadu, Muskan will cover almost 3500 km in 25 days. With her determination and perseverance, she is sure to inspire many girls to believe in their own potential.

31 Jan 2023

Positive Reads

Do You Know About this Coldest Inhabited Place in India

With the winter season fast approaching, most of us will be excited about the impending cold and chilly weather. However, if you really want to experience the chills, rather freeze, then you must definitely not miss Dras which is the coldest place in India with a population of around a thousand people. Dras is situated in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and is also said to be the second coldest inhabited place on the planet with Omyakon in Russia being the coldest. Location Dras is a small town in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located around 55 km from Kargil town. Enroute to Kargil, it lies on National Highway 1D, leading to Srinagar. One cannot miss the pristine natural beauty of the place nestled in the snowy mountains. It is also known as the ‘Gateway to Ladakh’. The minimum temperature in Dras can plummet up to a freezing -40 degree Celsius. Places To Visit In Dras In spite of the chilly weather, there are many tourists who visit Dras and you will be surprised to find a decent number of hotels for accommodation. The most significant place to visit in Dras is the war memorial built in dedication to the soldiers of the Kargil War. For travelers who visit Kargil, Dras is also a stopover on the way where they can appease their hunger and rest before continuing with their journey. So if you want to feel the chills, visit Dras and enjoy the beautiful and pristine natural beauty of the place.

5 Nov 2019

Positive Reads

Good News

Good News for India As Wildlife Biologist Bags United Nation’s Champions of the Earth Award

The UN's highest environmental honor, the Champions of the Earth award, given to individuals for their transformative action to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem deterioration, has been awarded this year to Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman. She has been accorded the award in the Entrepreneurial Vision category. Wildlife biologist Barman is the head of the "Hargila Army," an all-female grassroots conservation campaign working to save the Greater Adjutant Stork from extinction. She is also the Senior Project Manager of the Avifauna Research and Conservation Division, Aaranyak. Growing up on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in Assam, Barman fell in love with birds and would sing to the egrets and storks. She spent most of her career working to save the endangered greater adjutant stork, the second-rarest stork species in the world. The stork is locally known as "hargila" in Assamese, which means "bone swallower," and Barman understood she had to change people's ideas about the bird to conserve it, so she rallied a group of village women to assist her. Today, there are about 10,000 women that make up the "Hargila Army." They guard nesting areas, treat hurt storks that have fallen from their nests, and plan "baby showers" to welcome the arrival of fresh hatchlings. The greater adjutant stork regularly appears in traditional songs, poems, festivals, and plays. According to Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, "Barman's groundbreaking conservation effort has empowered thousands of women, created entrepreneurs, and improved lifestyles while saving the greater adjutant stork from extinction."

23 Nov 2022

Good News

Farmers Rejoice As This Remarkable Device Protects Them From Crop Failure

16-year-old Rishikesh Amit Nayak of DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur in Odisha was sad to see his grandfather depressed when his crops were damaged by pests. Rishikesh decided to develop a device that could detect insects on the crops at an early stage so that necessary precautions and remedial measures can be taken to save the crops. A Remarkable Device Rishikesh developed this amazing device – Kishan Know that prevents crop failure. He realized that in the incidence of crop failure, 80 percent takes place due to the invasion of pests. The device helps to detect pests at a very early stage. The device has been prepared by incorporating a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication module, a chip of circuit that can be used to establish communication and a thermal camera. Before making the device, he consulted experts at Odisha University for Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and focused on bacteria as it accounted for 80 percent of the crop loss. How It Works According to Rishikesh, farmers will have to move around the field with the device twice in a day to take thermal images of the crop. The data is sent for analysis wherein any change in plant temperature indicates pest or bacteria attack for which the farmer can take remedial measures in the initial stage so that the crop is protected from damage. Rishikesh has applied for a patent for this remarkable device, the prototype of which costs around Rs 1,500. It was on display at an exhibition recently and many visitors were impressed by its performance.

25 Nov 2019

Good News

This Bengaluru Techie Quits a Good Salaried Job to Pedal Across the Country for a Noble Cause

It is not easy for any person to quit a good salaried job and sweat it out on a bicycle across the country. Yet, this is what exactly Manjunath Nagraj did to fulfill his mission of spreading awareness about organ donation. In India, people are least bothered about organ donation and the dismal statistics are proof of lack of awareness on this issue. Manjunath decided to do his bit by cycling solo through the length and breadth of the country to meet as many people as he could and explain to them the importance of organ donation. Inspiration And Training Manjunath was concerned about a lack of awareness about organ donation. He realized that there is only one donor for a lakh of people. He wanted to bring a change and worked with an NGO but soon understood that his efforts were not enough. That is when he embarked on his mission of pedaling across the country to reach as many people as he could and spread the message. He started by covering distances of 400km-500km in Bengaluru and trained to survive in extreme conditions. Overcoming Challenges At the initial stage of his journey, he encountered heavy rains in Kerala. Flooded and ill-maintained roads were a big challenge as they led to several minor accidents. However, Manjunath persevered in his mission and believed that roads were the best way to reach a large number of people. Instead of taking to highways, he chose the longer routes that went through villages, towns and cities in order to touch a wider population to spread the message. Manjunath completed his journey in two phases- From Kanyakumari to Kashmir (4,000 km) in 40 days and Ahmedabad to Guwahati (3,000 km) in 30 days. It was a once in a lifetime journey for this adventurous young man who successfully completed his aim to educate as many people as he could about organ donation.

7 Nov 2019

Good News

Mumbai’s Top-Ranked Squash Player Who Lost Home in Bldg Crash Rings in 16th Birthday With Cops and Firefighters

Aishwarya Khubchandani ushered in her sixteenth birthday in a novel way by distributing cake to firefighters and cops who are stationed round the clock to guard the crash site of a building in Khar, Mumbai, the portion of which came down a fortnight ago. Aishwarya is Mumbai’s top-ranked squash player who has represented India in the Asian junior individual squash championship for four years in a row. A week ago, on a fateful day, Aishwarya’s parents had stepped out and she was at home with a domestic help. They both had a lucky escape when a portion of her building crashed and they managed to run out of the house in the nick of time. She is currently staying with her parents at a relative’s residence. Since the day of the crash, officers from the police and fire department are standing guard at the site as the rubble contains valuables of residents. The portions of the building that crashed have been demolished and the work of razing the structure is in progress. A fire official was touched by her gesture and said that he and his colleagues were happy that their efforts have been acknowledged. He further said that such acts of appreciation motivate them to do their best. Her thoughtful act proved lucky for her as she was able to retrieve her passport from the debris. She needed the passport to appear for exams that would secure her admission to colleges in the United States. Firefighters and cops sometimes risk their lives to save helpless people. Although risk-taking is part of their job, little acts of acknowledgment will give them happiness and encouragement to keep up their good work.

1 Oct 2019

Good News