Latest news with #Aska
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
2 ULBs in Ganjam to be awarded under Swachh Survekshna 2024 today
Berhampur: Two urban local bodies (ULBs) in Ganjam district will be awarded under Swachh Survekshna 2024 for their best performance on cleanliness parameters in a function which will be held in New Delhi on Thursday. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards to Aska and Chikiti - the Notified Area Councils (NAC) during the event, organized by the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA). The Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey conducted by MoUHA to assess cleanliness and sanitation of cities and towns across the country. Aska and Chikiti NACs have been selected in the 'small cities' (with a population between 20,000 and 50,000) and 'very small cities' category (for towns less than 20,000 population), respectively, sources said. While Aska will receive the award for the first time, Chikiti NAC is getting the national award for the third time. The all-India level of ranking of these two ULBs is likely to be announced during the meeting, sources said. Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra, executive officer of Aska NAC, said a team from MoHUA had visited the town in March-April to assess its performance and take stock of the situation in the sanitary sector after verification before announcing the award. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Maipú (ver precio) Verisure Alarmas Undo The Chikiti NAC has been declared the cleanest city in the state by the Union govt for the last three years. "It could be possible due to the active support and participation of the town's residents," Deeparani Sahu, chairperson of the civic body, said.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Harvard doctor's experiment can boost your happiness in one minute. A startup CEO is already practicing it
Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a Harvard physician, stepped outside the clinic to test if talking to strangers boosts happiness—and science backed her up. Her playful public experiment mirrors IITian entrepreneur Harsh Pokharna's Jaipur meetups, revealing that heartfelt conversations, not just data or design, might be the next big wellness hack in our increasingly disconnected world. Harvard doctor Trisha Pasricha proved that one-minute chats with strangers can boost happiness, echoing a University of Chicago study. In a parallel tale, startup CEO Harsh Pokharna found the same truth during spontaneous meetups in Jaipur, reinforcing that real connection starts offline. (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Startup CEO Who Tried Something Similar Without Meaning To Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads More Than Just Small Talk, A Public Health Tool? It wasn't a research lab or a stethoscope that Harvard doctor Trisha Pasricha turned to recently—it was the simple, brave act of chatting with strangers while waiting in line. A physician, an instructor at Harvard Medical School , and the Ask a Doctor columnist for The Washington Post, Dr. Pasricha tested a charming scientific theory on the bustling platforms of Boston's Green Line: that one-minute conversations with strangers can actually make you happier.'It is scientifically proven that you can boost your happiness in one minute by talking to a stranger,' she began in a video she shared on Instagram, proceeding to engage unsuspecting commuters in playful and warm exchanges. Whether she was joking about being a Celtics fan or asking if someone wanted to be a pediatrician, the result was almost always the same—people smiled, talked, and lingered in conversations they hadn't planned experiment wasn't just a cute social video. It was rooted in evidence. According to, several studies, including one from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business in 2014, showed that people who spoke to strangers during their daily commute felt more positive afterward—even though they originally assumed their fellow travelers wouldn't be interested.'I had a great time,' Dr. Pasricha said, visibly moved by the simplicity of connection. 'Most people were down to just keep talking for minutes and minutes on end.'Interestingly, this scientific truth found a surprising echo in the world of tech entrepreneurship. Harsh Pokharna, the CEO of Bengaluru-based fintech startup OkCredit and an IIT Kanpur alumnus, unintentionally embarked on a social experiment of his own. During a break in his hometown Jaipur, Pokharna posted a casual Instagram story inviting people to hang out. What began as boredom soon turned into an unexpectedly fulfilling journey of human connection From random DMs to heartfelt discussions about therapy, dating, and dreams, Pokharna's days became filled with spontaneous meetups that mirrored the spirit of Pasricha's scientific adventure. 'There were no rules, no agendas—just organic human connection,' Pokharna noted, as he sipped coffee, played badminton, and took walks with strangers who soon felt like old Pasricha and Pokharna's experiences—one rooted in medical science, the other in lived curiosity—prove the same point: in an era dominated by curated lives and digital walls, the art of spontaneous conversation is a quiet rebellion. It's free, it's freeing, and it might just be the one-minute happiness hack we all dare at the end of her video is more than an Instagram caption—'I dare you to try this with a stranger today'—it's an invitation to revive something ancient and humane: unfiltered, real-world connection. For a society struggling with loneliness, digital fatigue, and emotional burnout, it may be time to treat these micro-interactions not as throwaway moments, but as therapeutic the doctor and the startup CEO, from Harvard labs to Jaipur streets, remind us that wellness isn't always found in a prescription bottle or a productivity app. Sometimes, it's waiting in line with a stranger, ready to say hello.
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Authors inspire senior students with stories of identity, culture and creativity at reading challenge panel
Senior students at Geraldton Senior High School were treated to an inspiring Q&A-style author panel on Thursday as part of the 2025 Premier's Reading Challenge, which has extended its reach to Year 11 and 12 students for the first time. The event featured renowned Geraldton-born author Holden Sheppard, award-winning graphic novelist Aska and Jayden Boundry — a Noongar language teacher and cultural consultant, didgeridoo player, traditional dancer and storyteller with Ngalak Nidja. Each shared their own unique creative journeys. Sheppard spoke candidly to the students about his struggles with high school and identity, and how writing became a powerful outlet. Aska delved into the art of combining words and visuals to tell stories, and spoke of her time as a quantum physicist and how that shaped her into the author she is today. Boundry reflected on the importance of culture and oral storytelling in his work. The Premier's Reading Challenge, which had previously been open only to students from kindergarten to Year 10, was expanded this year to include Year 11 and 12 students across WA and encourages students to develop a love of books, reading and improve language and literacy skills. The panel of exceptional authors and storytellers had a profound effect on Geraldton senior students as they became more engaged as the discussion continued. The main messaged discussed was that reading and writing are not only a 'nerdy' pastime, but also a powerful tool that can be used for expression, education and culture — something meaningful and personal.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Caught My Husband of 10 Years Cheating—How Do I Leave When I Still Love Him?
Ask a Witch is StyleCaster's advice column offering sage advice and practical magic for modern problems. Every Friday, our resident witch Roya Backlund will answer your most vulnerable conundrums through the lens of astrology, Tarot, and spirituality. Submit questions to askawitch@ along with your birth information—date, time, and location—as well as birth information for other parties involved, if you have it. Hex what vexes you: Ask a Witch. Dear Roya, More from StyleCaster Pisces, Your May Horoscope Wants You to Focus On Staying Grounded & Present Aquarius, Your May Horoscope Says You're Taking the Path Less Traveled I just found out that my husband of ten years has been cheating on me for at least eight of those years. I feel like the rug has been pulled from under me and I'm uncertain of what to do. We have a son who turns ten this year. I have a deep desire to leave, as I feel he will not change. He has been doing this for so long, and when I confronted him, he said that he won't ever do it again. But he isn't showing signs of giving up his phone addiction, so I can't imagine him not doing it again. I'm just waiting for the ball to drop, and for me to catch him cheating all over again. Unfortunately, another part of me just doesn't want to go. I still love him, even though I am absolutely crushed right now. I want him to feel the same pain that he has inflicted on me. Do I stay or do I go? Sincerely,Loving the Wrong Man I'm so sorry you're going through this. You probably have a lot of people telling you conflicting things, which only adds to your confusion. On one hand, you're probably being told that you should stick around and work on your relationship with your husband for the sake of your family. On the other, you're probably being told that it's unthinkable for you to stay with him and that you should have already left by now. Don't beat yourself up about not making a firm decision either way; it makes perfect sense that you're feeling stuck right now. This wasn't just some passing heartbreak, but total and complete destruction of the life you've built. We're talking about ten years of marriage here, and a young child is involved. There's a part of you that's probably trying to forget about it and go back to the way things were—back to the life you knew and loved. You're not wrong for feeling that way. It's completely valid and understandable. However, eight years of cheating is not a mistake. It wasn't an accident. It didn't 'just happen.' This is a clear pattern of lying, straying, and scheming. It's also something called 'uninformed consent,' as your husband has kept his extramarital affairs a secret while continuing to sleep with you at the same time. This has put you at risk for STDs and emotional trauma, as the consent you've given your husband is conditional on the relationship being fully monogamous. The fact that he cheated on you without your knowledge is a direct violation of the agreement you both made—and your consent. Because of how long he's cheated, the chances of him suddenly stopping are extremely minimal. This would require him to have a total personality change, or at the very least, start seeing a really good therapist. From the looks of his continued phone dependence, he seems to be acting the same way as always, but he's probably working double-time to keep the truth hidden from you. You've probably wondered why this happened to you, but according to your birth chart, this situation is exactly in line with the promise of your birth chart. You were born with your South Node of Karma in Sagittarius, situated right on top of your descendent—a.k.a. your seventh house of partnerships, marriages, and contracts. In astrology, your South Node is symbolic of the patterns, experiences, and histories you're bringing with you from your past lives. It represents your comfort zone, but not necessarily in a 'comforting' way, because your comfort zone holds you back. It keeps you 'stuck,' much like this marriage is keeping you stagnant. Your South Node is also conjunct Uranus—planet of sudden breaks and changes—which is why this revelation about your marriage seemingly came out of nowhere, completely destabilizing your sense of self. (Learn more about the 12 houses of astrology.) Fortunately, sitting at the opposite of your South Node is your North Node of Destiny. While your South Node shows everything you already know, the North Node represents everything you came to this life to learn, try, and experience for the first time. In your birth chart, your North Node is in Gemini in the first house of the self, which means that a major part of your narrative in this life is to learn how to stand on your own two feet. This doesn't mean you're meant to be single or alone, but that you're meant to have mastered the art of independence and having your own identity, free from the confines of a relationship. Your relationship should support that growth—not leave you feeling dependent on a man who holds you back. It's an interesting time for these issues to arise for you. The North Node is currently sitting in Pisces—your 10th house of career and authority—encouraging you to embrace your ambitions and learn how to be your own provider. The South Node is currently moving through your fourth house of home and family, causing you to shed what no longer belongs in your personal life and spotlight issues relating to the state of your private domestic space. You're facing the reality of what is happening for you behind closed doors, bringing forth destined changes that have everything to do with your lifelong task of becoming your most honest, authentic, and independent self. You've mentioned that you share a ten-year-old son, but it's important to remember that your son is learning about love and relationships from you and your husband. As he gets older, he will model his relationships after what you've established here. He will likely see that true love means sticking together no matter what, even if the relationship is based on lies. He might believe that men are allowed to cheat, because their partner will forgive them. You might think you son is incredibly mature for his age and that he would never grow up to be like his father, but historically, saying 'Do I as I say, not as I do,' rarely ever steers children away from acting just like you. What your kid needs more than a stable, 'picture perfect' household is a healthy parent they can truly depend on and look up to. Remember—what a parent deems acceptable will inevitably be seen as acceptable to their child. There may be major developments in this storyline by autumn, when eclipse season directly impacts your home life. On September 7, a full moon and total lunar eclipse will land just two degrees away from your midheaven—a.k.a. the most public part of your chart—and your imun coeli—a.k.a. the most private part of your chart. This is when something could be made public, whether through some sort of an announcement or a career endeavor. It could also be when you face up to an authority figure. While there's no way of knowing exactly what happens, it will bring truth to light regarding the status of your family dynamic and personal life. This could be when a turning point begins to take place in your relationship with your husband, whether you decide to stay with him, leave him, or everything in-between. Point blank—this is when something will begin to change. You won't be feeling stagnant forever. You mention that you're still in love with your husband, but you also say 'I want him to feel the same pain that he has inflicted on me.' It's fascinating—the fine line that exists between love and hate, or pain and pleasure. The searing hot torment of loving what hurts you is shown in the fact that your natal Mars in Scorpio is conjunct his natal Venus in Scorpio, showing immense sexual chemistry, and sometimes, the intensity of a connection like this is rooted in fear, power plays, and repeating patterns of trauma. Your husband's natal Saturn—planet of karma and limitations—is also sitting on top of your South Node in the seventh house of partnerships. This shows that your husband was always a lesson to be learned, but it also explains why it's so hard to part ways from him. Saturn clings onto whatever it touches, but it severs things completely once it has finally reached its limit. Maybe you simply haven't reached your limit yet—and that's OK. If you really want to know how to hurt your husband, know that the idea of your freedom is an affront to him. You learning how to be your own person—a separate entity from him—truly terrifies him. His natal Chiron—planet of deep wounds and insecurities—is sitting right on top of your North Node in Gemini in the first house of the self. The more independent you become, the more powerless he feels. The more you start to get used to the idea of not needing your husband, the more freaked out he will feel. In a sense, your growth is a direct reflection of his suffering. The way to get back at your husband is very simple—live well. Leading a truly fulfilling life of your own is the greatest revenge you could ever exact on him. Roya Backlund is StyleCaster's Senior Lifestyle & Astrology Editor and a professional witch. Born in Los Angeles on May 26—the same day as Stevie Nicks—she's been obsessed with the zodiac since she discovered she was a Gemini as a child. Her interest in mysteries and the occult began in the metaphysical section at her local Borders. If you're a fan of astrology, spirituality, and witchcraft, you've probably read her horoscopes and lifestyle articles, which have appeared elsewhere in Elite Daily, PopSugar, and more. Whether you want to delve deeper into your birth chart or interpret signs from your spirit guides, Roya's got you covered. Submit a form. Best of StyleCaster 10 At-Home Date Ideas That'll Make You Feel Like You're Living in a Rom-Com The 13 Best MasterClass Courses Are 40% Off for a Limited-Time Spring Sale The 11 Best Low-Sugar Wines That Still Taste Delicious
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Girl, 15, raped in NYC stairwell by parolee out 1 month after sexually assaulting boy, pushing him off roof: cops
A parolee just released after eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a young boy and throwing him off a rooftop, is now accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in a Bronx stairwell, cops and sources said. Casmine Aska, 29, allegedly pounced on the teen in an elevator at 140 Bellamy Loop in Co-Op City Thursday, forcing her into a stairwell and raping her, cops said. He was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree rape, police said. Aska had only been out on parole since Jan. 30 after being convicted of attempted murder when he pushed a 9-year-old boy — that he had sexually assaulted — off the roof of a five-story Bronx apartment building on Feb. 1, 2013, police sources said. He was locked up in 2017 and served eight years in state prison, state prison records show. Aska threw the child off the 1545 Nelson Ave. rooftop in Morris Heights after the victim threatened to report the sexual abuse, the sources said. The fall left the boy in a coma. He briefly regained consciousness and told cops how his neighbor, Aska — 17 at the time — showed up at his third-floor home and dragged him to the roof. 'I'm praying to God that he gets better,' the boy'sheartbroken grandfather, 78, told The Post in Spanish at the time. 'He had leg surgery, and at the same time, he was operated on his arm.' The boy was placed on life support at the hospital but eventually survived. His grandmother, then 72, said she was home during the incident, but thought the boy had gone to the corner store to get a soda for his mother. The family didn't realize what happened until a frantic neighbor yelled that the boy 'is downstairs!' By the time his mother rushed outside, the child was already being loaded into an ambulance. Along with the second-degree attempted murder conviction, Aska was also charged with a criminal sex act, sex abuse, sexual misconduct and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 for the 2013 crime, the sources said. He has also been arrested multiple times previously for resisting arrest, menacing and assault among other charges, the sources said. He may have used aliases in past crimes, the sources added.
