The Times of India

At just six years old, Sarah Sangar from Ludhiana has made headlines by holding the seated wide-legged yoga pose on a gymnastics balance beam for 18 minutes and 20 seconds, setting a new record. Recognized by the India Book of Records on October 3, 2026, this accomplishment not only highlights her impressive bodily control and flexibility but also encourages children everywhere to pursue excellence in physical fitness through dedicated training.

Despite facing familial resistance, Bhumika Senthilkumar kicked off her bodybuilding career with unparalleled determination. While mastering her craft, she balanced her education in fashion design seamlessly. Her hard work culminated in international accolades, including gold and bronze medals that transformed her family's outlook. The encouragement from her coach and supportive community has propelled her forward, solidifying her commitment to the sport and her ongoing journey of achievement.

Kanishak Kataria, an IIT Bombay alumnus, proudly earned the top rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination of 2019. After gaining valuable work experience in South Korea, he returned to India, driven by a longing to engage with the community and serve the public. Grateful for the unwavering support from his family and girlfriend, he now holds the position of Commissioner at the Bharatpur Development Authority in Rajasthan.

Radhika Apte emphasized that the work culture often dictates expectations of constant availability from employees. She argued that both married and single individuals require personal time away from work life. The notion that only married women or mothers need flexibility overlooks the needs of all employees. Apte called for a broader perspective on work-life balance beyond just motherhood.

Pune's very own Yaqub Bangi, Yassira Memon, and Shubham Pariyar have earned coveted spots in the Sarabhai Younglings Internship program by triumphing in the national SPOT science aptitude test by the Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation. This enriching program will provide them with invaluable insights through institutions like ISRO, HAL, and IIM Bangalore. Their journey is supported by Panaah Communities, emphasizing how access to opportunities can nurture potential in underserved areas.

Meet Indira Amma, a remarkable 85-year-old teacher hailing from Kerala, who creatively employs sand and a stick to engage her young students. She introduces them to the fundamentals of Malayalam, Hindi, English, and mathematics using this unique approach. Children delight in tracing letters in the sand after watching her demonstrations, promoting a fun and waste-free learning environment.

Nitesh Yadav, who oversees a fitness center in India, opens up about the financial landscape of gym ownership. While his gym generates sales of Rs 20 lakh each month, substantial expenses like staff wages, rent, and loan payments, which range between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 7 lakh, significantly cut into profits. He stresses that maintaining members is more important than constantly finding new ones for enduring success.

In a serene village, a software engineer working remotely is finding his once-peaceful existence turning dull despite financial stability. Limited options for leisure turn weekends into a chore, prompting thoughts of relocating to Kota for greater social engagement and enjoyable activities. Although this shift might strain his budget, it promises a more enriching daily experience, prompting a crucial examination of the harmony between monetary savings and a gratifying lifestyle.

Living in Bengaluru, a local couple's monthly financial outlay reaches about Rs 1.73 lakh, revealing stark economic differences in the city. Their budget includes Rs 60,000 for rent and Rs 75,000 for travel, showcasing a prioritization of experiences and wellness through high-protein groceries. This financial scenario starkly contrasts with entry-level IT employees' earnings, which often fall considerably short of the couple's expenditure.

At Budha College, over 100 enthusiastic first-year fashion design students engaged in a unique creative endeavor using the Japanese kimusaiga technique. They transformed discarded fabrics into stunning artworks, diving deep into color theory as they carefully arranged materials into their designs. This inspiring project captured tremendous attention online, amassing nearly 4 million views, showcasing the importance of creativity, patience, and sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Radhika Apte delves into the intricate dynamics of motherhood, recounting her struggles to juggle her career alongside her family responsibilities. She candidly shares her day-to-day life, where she cooks for her loved ones and handles every household task independently. Opening up about her emotional landscape, Radhika addresses postpartum depression and guilt, advocating for a society where the complex truths of motherhood are acknowledged beyond the expectation of unwavering joy.

A recent investigation has revealed intriguing findings regarding preschoolers and their blinking habits. This study, focusing on 113 Japanese children aged 35 to 80 months through a card-sorting challenge, indicated a connection between blink frequency and brain functions linked to executive skills. The results showed that increased blinks were associated with superior task-switching abilities, although researchers caution against using blinking as an indicator of overall cognitive capacity or