Almost a quarter century after the historic Supreme Court judgement to shift or shut factories polluting the Taj Mahal, the environment in Agra continues to pollute the 17th century monument of love.


Agra air continues to choke the Taj Mahal


IANS Automatic

Earlier this year, a court declared that Ganga and Yamuna rivers should be treated as "living entities". But is that enough to spread awareness about saving the rivers in the country? Eco-warriors don't think so. On World Environment Day, activists in Agra have demanded that rivers of India be declared a "national asset".


On World Environment Day, activists want rivers declared as 'national asset'


Abha and Sanjeev Singh are a well-off couple living with all the luxuries and comfort. Still, there is a feeling of something amiss. And with June 5 being celebrated as World Environment Day, they can now put a finger on it. It's Nature they have unconsciously distanced themselves from.


This World Environment Day, make an effort to reconnect with nature


Dhundi, Kheda district, Gujarat: Phodabhai Parmar, a 72-year-old farmer, sits on a charpai sipping tea as solar panels gleam in the fields behind him. Parmar is one of six farmers who have formed the worlds first solar irrigation cooperative in Dhundi village in Gujarats Kheda district, about 90 km from Ahmedabad.


Gujarat's Solar Irrigation Cooperative has a solution for groundwater crisis


It was a sunny day and Raj Kumar Vaishya had trouble walking. But determined to get a postgraduate degree, the 97-year-old sat for a three-hour MA exam, along with students younger than his grandchildren.


97-year-old appears for MA exam in Patna


I have an ethics issue. What do you do when you're having an argument on Facebook and an incredibly stupid, annoying person joins in, but they're on your side? It's shocking that society has no answers for the huge moral dilemmas of today.


News items prove that annoying people are often useful (The Funny Side)


It is certainly not one of those upscale, air-conditioned, fine-dining places with a fancy address. But Dev's American Cafe here believes in providing a new and different experience to foodies who are ready and willing to experiment.


Dev's American Cafe: Whiff of something different (Foodie Trail)


The first monitoring and early warning system in India was launched on May 12 in Ahmedabad, with the hope that it will reduce the health impacts and deaths from air pollution, a growing problem in a country with nine of the world's 20 most polluted cities in 2016.


First pollution early warning system aims to cut deaths, health hazards


A meagre total of 75 public libraries are serving the over 200 million population of Uttar Pradesh. Compare this to 4,028 public libraries in Tamil Nadu that serve its 67.8 million population and a study in contrast emerges.


India's 70,000+ public libraries and its untapped potential: A study in contrast


India might be playing a leadership role in bringing the world together for the International Solar Alliance, but it is struggling with the adoption of solar rooftops in its metro cities, a recent study has shown.


No uptake for rooftop solar in Indian cities


On April 16, Roshan Lal Negi woke up to find snow carpeting the courtyard of his home in Jangi village. Boys with smartphones quickly made videos to share on WhatsApp but more than a month later, the snow -- now filthy -- still sits on the lower parts of most peaks in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.


How climate change is affecting Kinnaur's apples - and more


A spiritual friend gave me some advice last week: "Be the change you want to see in the world."


Grab the future with both hands, unless it's electrified (The Funny Side)


Aiming to bring innovative and inspiring women across the globe to discuss, debate, inspire and turn ideas that matter into action?, an audience of 400 women delegates from across India will gather in an upcoming summit here.


Upcoming summit to bring together 400 women delegates from across India


Delhi is a melting pot of people from across the country but only in recent years have its residents become more experimental when it comes to food.


Sana-di-ge, where Delhiite gets a taste of West Coast cuisine (Foodie Trail-Delhi)


A confident and distinctly global community of collectors converged at Christies flagship US saleroom in Rockefeller Center, driving its 20th Century Art sales of Impressionist, Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art to a combined $842,535,375.


Collectors converge at Christie's art sales in New York


'My Naba (father) always says you can't challenge nature. If you challenge nature, you are asking for trouble. When you see a river and think, it's so low, I can easily cross it, the next time you need to cross the river, it will rise and swallow you; nature is always stronger than you. You can have no ego with nature,' explains Tine Mena, a woman from the Idu Mishmi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.


In Arunachal, tribal taboos are conservation devices


Taking a leaf from the success of Leh's Sindhu Darshan festival, locals of the picturesque Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh also decided to hold a similar event every summer at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers that makes for a mix of virgin nature and Buddhism.


Lahaul festival: A blend of virgin nature, Buddhism (Travel Feature)


I always say "please" and "thank you, Miss" when talking to Siri so that when the machines take over she won't kill me. "Spare the puny one. He was always polite."


Cunning life-hacks to help you survive these difficult days (The Funny Side)


The Delhi Public Library has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Public Library Movement (IPLM) to improve the overall functioning of its outlets and make them more relevant in the fast-changing times.


Delhi Public Library signs MoU to retain relevance


Fresh ginger juice mixed with lime juice, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice and Tennessee whiskey, shaken well with lots of crushed ice and what you have in hand is a great "Ginger Baker" drink served in a martini glass.


Of Patiala pegs and American whiskey: Cocktails to savour


Veteran Indian artist Ganesh Haloi is in the forefront of representing modern Indian art at the ongoing Documenta 14, one of the worlds most prestigious and keenly awaited art events.

Page 16 -