The Parrot Whisperer From Pune!

Shailajanand Mishra lists The Top Videos of the Week! Take a look.

Every week is full of newsworthy events. And we make sure we bring you the most interesting ones, with a special twist.

These videos are chosen by you, through your likes.

So if you'd like to see your favourite video on our weekly round-up, please make sure you like them on iShare.

Dry college land becomes lush green

Date: August 21
Location: Lawspet, Puducherry

All it takes is resolve and determination.

That's what Principal Dr Sasikant Das proved when he spearheaded the transformation of the dry, barren premises of his college into a lush tribute to Nature.

Dr Das heads the Tagore Government Arts and Science College, one of the leading colleges in Puducherry.

Speaking to ANI, he explained that environment plays a vital role in education. "It's not just about getting a college certificate, it's knowing what life is all about," he says.

With the help of the college staff, he was able to plant 3,000 trees on 15 acres of dry land and transform it into a green paradise.

Daily wage earner's son starts digital library

Date: August 22
Location: Seraikela-Kharsawan, Jharkhand

As the son of a daily wage earner, Dharmendra knows the power of the written word.

In order to ensure the power reaches as many rural and tribal children as possible, and helps them in their path to education, he has started digital libraries in Seraikela-Kharsawan.

These libraries help children from underprivileged families prepare for various competitive exams.

Till date, he has started about 24 such libraries.

RPF saves woman's life

Date: August 22
Location: Asansol, West Bengal

It's the kind of accident that happens all over India because we don't follow the rules.

A woman, while trying to board a moving train on August 21 at Asansol, slipped into the gap between the coach and the platform.

Thanks to two alert railway cops -- Assistant Sub Inspector S K Singh and Head Constable B B Mahato of the dog squad -- her life was saved.

Heard of the Durga Fighters?

Date: August 22
Location: Sukma, Chhattisgarh

They are the Durga Fighters and they have vowed to wipe out Naxalites from their region.

Meet the women police constables from Chhattisgarh's Sukma region who have voluntarily formed this team on Raksha Bandhan.

On this auspicious day, they promised to protect their land from the terror of the Naxals.

The 'gharat' is back in Dharamshala

Date: August 24
Location: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Have you heard of the gharat?

It's a traditional watermill used for centuries by the Himalayan people to grind grain into flour.

The aata made by the gharat is softer, finer and healthier.

Nowadays, gharats are almost non-existent; 99 per cent closed down before the pandemic.

But the local villagers, with the help of the administration, have decided to reintroduce this lost tradition and sustainably produce aata.

In fact, the gharat has now been modified so that it can power several flour making machines simultaneously.

Trilok Chand, who owns a gharat in Sudher village, says, "Our gharat must be over 150 years old.

"Since the last 10 years, after my father passed away, it was not functional.

"But last year, when I had no employment during the lockdown, we revived our gharat.

"It became our sole source of income during this terrible time."

Pune's parrot whisperer!

Date: August 25
Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Radhika Sonawane loves birds.

She has a special affinity for the green-feathered variety that sport red beaks.

During the COVID-induced lockdown, the Pune-based finance professional opened her home to her winged friends,

She has created open spaces -- dotted with bird feeders and swings -- in her rented apartment for them.

Over 30 parrots visit her every day.

Darjeeling 'toy trains' back on track after more than a year

Date: August 25
Location: Siliguri, West Bengal

Darjeeling's toy train -- a popular tourist attraction -- was shut down since March 2020 due to Covid.

Finally, after 18 months, its services have resumed, albeit with strict Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com