1/ Dear Mothers,
As we step into motherhood, we're enveloped by an unwavering concern for our children's safety, happiness, & future. It becomes our mission to protect, nurture, & guide them. In today's world, ensuring their safety demands more than love & care. 2/ Politics isn’t just about elections; it shapes society, influencing education, the food our kids eat, & even their beliefs. Ideologies like gender studies can confuse children about identity, leaving them vulnerable to narratives that make them question their values.

8 Mysterious Villages in India
Bhangarh, Rajasthan
The curse of Bhangarh is said to be one of the reasons behind the fort’s deserted state. According to legend, Bhangarh Fort is cursed by a hermit named Guru Balu Nath. The spot where the fort has been built once served as the meditation spot of the sage, and when the king pleaded with him that he wanted to build a fort here, the sage agreed on one condition that the fort’s shadow should not touch him. The king persuaded him that the fort’s shadow would not touch him at his place, which sadly did not happen, and the curse of the hermit followed, which led to the entire village being destroyed. Kuldhara, Rajasthan
In 1825, Kuldhara vanished overnight. Its people left behind a chilling curse: no one shall ever live here. The reason? A lecherous ruler Salim Singh's sinister demand for a village girl. Now, an eerie silence reigns, broken only by ghostly apparitions at dusk.

🚨 On December 2-3, 1984, during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Kushwaha family turned to the ancient Vedic ritual Agnihotra, which miraculously alleviated their symptoms of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas poisoning within minutes. 🌄 M.L. Rathore, a resident near Bhopal Railway Station, also performed Agnihotra with his family and experienced similar relief. This ancient practice wasn’t just a spiritual ritual; it was rooted in profound chemistry and science.

Thread: Who is Muhammad Yunus?

1. The Pioneer of Microfinance
Muhammad Yunus, hailed as the "Banker to the Poor," founded Grameen Bank in 1983, revolutionizing the concept of microcredit. His model focused on providing small, collateral-free loans to the rural poor, primarily women, in Bangladesh. The goal: to empower the marginalized and alleviate poverty. 2. International Recognition and Support
Yunus's work earned global admiration. Institutions like the World Bank, USAID, and philanthropists such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett funneled millions into Grameen Bank. It became a model for poverty reduction and women's empowerment worldwide.

1/15 The tragedy in Wayanad could have been avoided. Over 400 lives lost, entire villages buried under landslides. The Gadgil Commission warned us. They told us the Western Ghats were fragile, delicate, and that human greed would bring disaster. But we didn’t listen. 2/15 The Gadgil Commission recommended strict protections for Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) in the Western Ghats. It proposed banning mining, quarrying, and large-scale construction in these zones to protect the rich biodiversity and prevent environmental catastrophe

Ancient Urban Planning in Bharat:

In 1857, when the flames of the Revolutionary War were igniting across the rest of India, the British were busy laying the Lahore-Multan railway line in Punjab. Punjab had only recently come under British control, and they were focused on improving transportation and other ‘state management facilities’ in the region. The railway project progressed rapidly, and the Bruton brothers, who were in charge, used the bricks from Harappa as ballast for the railway line. This has been detailed in The Treasure of Indian Knowledge - Part 1. However, at that time, no one realized the significance of Harappa as a major historical site.

Later, in 1914, an official working in the Archaeological Department visited Harappa and recorded that archaeological remnants might be found there.

But it was Rakhaldas Banerjee and Daya Ram Sahni who brought Harappa, and later Mohenjo-Daro, into the spotlight. The excavation took place in 1922, and what emerged from it left not only these two men but also the British officers in the Archaeological Department utterly astonished. They discovered human settlements and civilizations thousands of years old. The official report of the excavation was published in 1923, causing a global sensation. The artifacts found were dated to at least 2,500 BCE. It became clear that the findings from Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were at least 4,500 years old.

What exactly was found in the excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?

What was unearthed were the remnants of well-planned, meticulously organized cities. These included houses, palaces, public baths, roads, and sewage drains built with highly advanced technology for that time. The layout of these well-organized cities challenged many of the assumptions held by the British. The British viewed Indians as uneducated, wild, and backward. However, the discoveries here presented an entirely different picture.

The bricks used in these constructions were well-baked, strong, and of a specific ratio. Their quality was excellent. The layout of the city, the roads, etc., appeared to have been meticulously planned. The cities featured two-story houses, with appropriate spacing between them, and sewage management was handled through underground drains.

The excavations also revealed a bathhouse that was 7 meters wide, 12 meters long, and 2.4 meters high. Interestingly, the floor and walls of this bathhouse were waterproof to prevent water seepage.

Harappa is located in present-day Punjab province of Pakistan, while Mohenjo-Daro is in Larkana district of Sindh province (incidentally, former Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto, hailed from this district). The road distance between Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro is 760 kilometers. Despite this distance, there were many similarities in the artifacts found at both sites. The seals and various objects discovered at both locations were quite similar. The period of both sites dates back to approximately 4,500 to 5,000 years ago.

Archaeologists inferred that a single type of human civilization once existed across this entire region.

Harappa was a city located on the banks of the Ravi River. During that time, water transport was more convenient than land transport. Based on this, the Archaeological Department continued its research.

Much later, after India gained independence, Amlanand Ghosh discovered Kalibangan in 1952. However, extensive excavations took place only after 1960, over the next nine years. Archaeologists B. K. Thapar and B. B. Lal led this mission.

Meanwhile, the renowned researcher and archaeologist, Padma Shri Haribhau Wakankar, undertook the project of finding the lost Saraswati River. In the course of this project, he found that over 200 towns were settled on the banks of the extinct Saraswati River, which were from the Harappan era. Hence, he insisted that instead of calling it the ‘Indus Valley Civilization,’ it should be referred to as the ‘Saraswati River Civilization.’ Interestingly, the river on whose banks Kalibangan was situated, the Ghaggar-Hakra River, is actually the ancient Saraswati River!

In the 1960s, excavations were also in full swing elsewhere. In the Hisar district of Haryana, the excavation at Rakhigarhi revealed a well-planned ancient city from the Harappan era. Later in 1968, the excavation at Dholavira in Gujarat’s Kutch region uncovered yet another well-organized city from the Harappan period.

Kalibangan is located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, 174 kilometers from Harappa in present-day Pakistan. Although the excavation at Kalibangan was conducted in the 1960s, the detailed report was published by the Archaeological Survey of India in 2003. According to this report, Kalibangan was the richest city of that era and served as the capital of the Harappan province.

Kalibangan also revealed roads that were 5 to 5.5 meters wide, intersecting at right angles. The excavation uncovered wells, bathhouses, houses, etc. The sewage system was managed through underground drains, there was a pipe system for drinking water, strong brick houses, and proper spacing between the houses.

The roads found in Kalibangan (and other Harappan cities) were based on what we would now call the ‘Grid-Iron Pattern,’ i.e., parallel and intersecting roads at right angles.

Interestingly, when the task of planning the new city of Chandigarh was assigned to the famous French architect Le Corbusier after India’s independence, he used the ancient ‘Grid-Iron Pattern’ as the basis. The city of Chandigarh was built following this pattern.

A fortress was discovered in Kalibangan, and to its south, five yajna kundas (sacrificial altars) made of mud and unbaked bricks were found. This indicates that the towns established in those days had facilities for following Vedic traditions.

The city of Dholavira, located in the Bhachau taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat, provides solid evidence of excellent urban planning from 5,500 years ago. Shambhudaan Gadhvi, who lived in this village, believed that an ancient city was buried here. He made significant efforts, but it wasn’t until eight to ten years later, in 1968, that excavations led by Jagatpati Joshi unearthed the ancient city of Dholavira. Evidence of a settlement dating back to 3,500 BCE was found here. This ancient city, located on the banks of the Luni River, was one of the busiest ‘metropolises’ in the world 5,000 years ago. In 2021, UNESCO added it to its list of World Heritage Sites.

The same Dholavira city also revealed the world’s oldest stadium, as discussed in a previous article. This stadium shattered the myth held by Western historians and scholars that organized and collective sports began in Greece in the 7th century BCE. The Dholavira stadium was a venue for collective sports roughly 2,500 years before the Olympics in Greece, and it even had a spectator gallery.

The glory of India’s architecture, construction, and urban planning extended up to the 12th-13th centuries. In the 12th century, the urban planning of Beijing in China was done by a Hindu architect named Balbahu (known in China as ‘Araniko’), as mentioned in The Treasure of Indian Knowledge - Part 1. As a token of gratitude, China erected a grand statue of Balbahu in a Beijing square on May 1, 2002.

Ancient Indian texts contain extensive writings on urban planning.

The ancient ‘Sthapatya Veda’ is a part of the Atharva Veda. Various Puranas and Vedas mention the science of architecture. The Matsya Purana references the architectural texts of Bhrigu, Atri, Vashistha, Vishwakarma, Narada, Nagnajit, and Vishalaksha.

Later, in the 5th century BCE, Kautilya wrote extensively on urban planning in his treatise Arthashastra. Kautilya outlined how the state, city, village, and forts should be planned. The state’s capital should be the center of 800 villages, with major administrative centers and treasuries in the capital, which

Have you read the "WBG Gender Strategy 2024"?

India's civilizational ethos is not only sufficient but superior in addressing the challenges that the WBG Gender Strategy aims to tackle. They highlight the risks of imposing external frameworks that can undermine the very structures that have sustained Indian society for thousands of years.

Lets see how: 1. Attack on the Family Structure
UN Strategy Claim: Emphasizes gender equality and rights, often interpreted as undermining traditional roles within the family.
Indic Response: The Bharatiya family system is an integral part of our social fabric, promoting interdependence, mutual respect, and the well-being of all members. It inherently recognizes and respects the roles and contributions of every individual, ensuring that no one is left behind. Our traditional family structure, rooted in Dharma, fosters harmony and sustainability without the need for external interventions that often disregard these nuances​​.

Thread: Unveiling the Dark History of Bengal’s Indigo Rebellion

1/ Theatres in 19th-century Bengal were more than entertainment—they were battlegrounds. Performances exposed the brutal truths of European capitalists and rallied middle-class intellectuals, journalists, missionaries, peasants, and laborers against state control. 2/ European planters had unchecked power, forcing tenants to cultivate indigo under devastating terms. Bengali landlords were coerced, leading to a massive tenant resistance in southwestern Bengal during 1860-61. Supported by tenure-holders and small landlords, the rebellion was brutal.

The Rich Legacy of Indian Mathematics: A Comparative Thread

The term "algorithm" comes from al-Khwarizmi (c. 825), whose works introduced Indian arithmetic to the West. Indian mathematicians had been using algorithmic methods in texts like the Sulvasutras (prior to 800 BCE) and Aryabhatiya (c. 499 CE). While the West struggled with Roman numerals, Indian numerals, praised by Pierre Simon de Laplace (18th century), revolutionized arithmetic with their simplicity and efficiency.

1/12 🌺 In Sanatana Dharma, women have historically held significant roles across various domains such as spirituality, governance, literature, and martial arts. Let's explore their contributions! #SanatanaDharma #WomenEmpowerment 2/12 🙏 Spiritual & Intellectual Contributions: Women seers, or Rishikas, have left an indelible mark on spiritual texts. Gargi Vachaknavi's debates with Sage Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi's profound inquiries are prime examples. #Vedas #Rishikas

If this doesn't boil your blood...

Dharampal's documentation shows that Indian agriculture was highly developed and sophisticated, with practices that often surpassed those in Britain, especially in terms of productivity and the use of advanced techniques like irrigation and crop rotation. The comparison underscores the detrimental impact of British colonial policies on Indian agriculture, which otherwise had the potential to thrive independently. Higher Productivity and Wages in India:
Indian agriculture was noted for its higher productivity and higher wages for labor compared to British agriculture. This observation was recorded in the Edinburgh Review in July 1804, which reviewed Dr. Tennant's Indian Recreations​​.

Why Indian Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are considered better than paper ballots in elections @elonmusk -
Other democratic countries should come to Bharat to study the worlds biggest festival of Democracy.

1. Security
EVM: EVMs are designed with multiple layers of security. They are standalone devices not connected to any network, making them immune to hacking. They also feature tamper-evident seals and other security measures.
Paper Ballot: Paper ballots are more susceptible to tampering and ballot stuffing. Secure transportation and storage are also challenging. 2. Accuracy
EVM: EVMs reduce the chances of human error in counting. They are designed to record votes accurately and are programmed to prevent multiple votes from the same voter.
Paper Ballot: Human error in counting and the potential for invalid votes due to incorrect marking can lead to inaccuracies.

Metallurgy achievements from "Indian Science and Technology in the Eighteenth Century" by Dharampalji highlights the advanced state of Indian science and technology during the 18th century as documented by different scholars and practitioners. Production of Wootz Steel
Achievement: High-quality production of wootz steel, an early form of crucible steel known for its durability and quality.

Details:
1. Wootz steel was produced directly from the ore, bypassing the wrought iron stage.
2. It was renowned for its sharpness and durability, making it highly prized for fine cutlery and surgical instruments.
3. British examinations in the 1790s found wootz steel to be superior to European steel.

Documented By: Dr. H. Scott (1790)​​.

I once had a conversation with a friend on Veer Savarkar where he said that the Hindutva ideology is harmful for the country. So I read the book "Essentials of Hindutva" to be able to properly explain to my friend, Veer Savarkar's views.
On his 141st Birth Anniversary would like to share here the key points of views expressed by Veer Savarkar in his book:

Definition of a Hindu:
A Hindu is defined by three key elements: common nation (Rashtra), common race (Jati), and common culture (Sanskriti).
A Hindu is someone who regards the land from the Indus to the seas as their Fatherland (Pitribhu) and Holyland (Punyabhu)​​. Hindutva vs. Hinduism:
Hindutva is a broader concept encompassing cultural, linguistic, social, and political aspects of Hindu identity, not just religious beliefs as denoted by Hinduism.
Hindutva includes the heritage of the Vedic civilization and the common history, literature, and cultural practices of the Hindu people​​​​.

One of the most remarkable incidents showcasing Shivaji's strategy and bravery is the raid on Shaistekhan’s camp. This event is widely regarded as one of the most daring and meticulously planned attacks in Shivaji's life.

The Raid on Shaistekhan's Camp

Background: Shaistekhan, the maternal uncle of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, was sent with a massive army to subdue Shivaji and take control of the Deccan in 1660. Shaistekhan established his base in Lal Mahal, Pune, which was also Shivaji's ancestral home. For two years, Shaistekhan's forces occupied the region, creating a constant threat to Shivaji's burgeoning kingdom. The Plan: Shivaji devised a bold plan to raid Shaistekhan’s heavily guarded camp. He decided to carry out a surprise night attack, exploiting the Mughal camp's false sense of security. The operation was meticulously planned, taking into account every detail of the camp's layout and the timing of the attack to maximize its impact.

Story of Yashodharman’s Victory over the Huns

In the early 6th century, the Huns, a fierce and barbaric tribe, had invaded and terrorized much of Asia and Europe, including India. Their brutal raids left devastation in their wake, sparing neither women nor children. India, too, fell victim to their onslaught, and the once-prosperous regions of Sindh, Kathiawad, and Gujarat suffered under their relentless attacks. The Huns established their dominance and instilled fear across the land. At this critical juncture, Yashodharman, a young and ambitious chieftain from the small principality of Malava, rose to challenge the mighty Huns. He was not a king or an emperor, but his courage and sense of patriotism were unparalleled. Yashodharman vowed to liberate his motherland from the Hunnish menace and restore its former glory​​.

Have read the story of Chandragupta outwitting the Saka King, anywhere in your history books? It is a fascinating tale of strategy and valor.

The Inciting Incident:

Somewhere around 380 AD, this event takes place in the region of Gujarat and Malva in Magadhan Empire. After the death of Emperor Samudragupta, his weak son, Ramgupta, ascended the throne. The Saka King, exploiting Ramgupta's weakness, demanded that the emperor send his wife, Queen Dhruvadevi (also referred to as Grhadevi), to him as a token of submission. Chandragupta’s Cunning Plan:

Infuriated by this demand, Chandragupta, Ramgupta's younger brother, decided to protect the queen and defy the Saka King. Chandragupta proposed a plan to send a palanquin to the Saka King under the guise that it carried Queen Dhruvadevi.
Instead of the queen, Chandragupta and his warriors disguised themselves as women and occupied the palanquins.

10 Reasons why Bharatiyas should vote for @narendramodi

1. Economic Reforms and Development

GST Reform
Implementation: Launched on July 1, 2017, GST (Goods and Services Tax) is the most fundamental reform in India's taxation system.
Impact: Simplified the tax structure, eliminated multiple indirect taxes, and created a unified national market.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
Objective: Address the issue of non-performing assets (NPAs) and improve the financial health of banks.
Impact: Enhanced the resolution of bankruptcies, resulting in faster recovery of debts and improving the ease of doing business.

PM Gati Shakti Yojana
Launch: October 13, 2021.
Focus: Integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects to boost connectivity.
Impact: Optimizes resource utilization and enhances economic efficiency. 2. Social Welfare Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Objective: Provide affordable housing to the urban and rural poor.
Impact: Millions of houses constructed, contributing to the vision of "Housing for All" by 2022.

Ayushman Bharat
Launch: September 23, 2018.
Objective: Provide health coverage to economically vulnerable families.
Impact: Over 500 million beneficiaries covered, making it the world's largest health assurance scheme.

Ujjwala Yojna
Launch: May 1, 2016.
Objective: Provide LPG connections to women from below poverty line (BPL) households.
Impact: Over 80 million LPG connections distributed, improving health and reducing indoor pollution.

V.D. Savarkar in "Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History", talks about Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga dynasty, and his significant contributions to Indian sovereignty and cultural restoration. Pushyamitra is credited with the total extermination of the Greek influence in India, which had persisted since the time of Alexander the Great. His military prowess and leadership led to the re-establishment of Hindu rajya and cultural resurgence.

Key Events and Achievements:

1. Extermination of Greek Intrusion: Pushyamitra's most notable achievement was the complete eradication of Greek influence in India. This intrusion had caused considerable harm to the Indian subcontinent since Alexander's invasion. Pushyamitra earned the title "Yavan-destroyer" for his decisive actions against the Greeks. 2. Establishment of the Shunga Dynasty: After assassinating the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, during a military parade, Pushyamitra established the Shunga dynasty around 185 BCE. His reign marked the beginning of a new era focused on reviving Hindu traditions and governance.

How has @narendramodi @PMOIndia empowered Nari Shakti and how has it impacted Bharat's overall well-being?

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) touches the lives of over 90 million women organized into 8 million women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). A large number of these women have credit linkage and together they have leveraged Rs. 6.50 lakh crore loans from banks during the period from 2014 to 2022. In spite of a nearly 30% growth year-on-year, DAY-NRLM SHGs managed to bring down Non-Performing Assets (NPA) from over 7% in 2012–2013 to a little under 2%.

At a time when the corporate borrower tales of woes and deception hit the headlines often, these poor women have not only borrowed but used it effectively to improve their lives and livelihoods and return it as well.
A diverse range of economic activities, from setting up 10,471 custom hiring centers, and 760 public transport systems in remote regions, to retail shops, restaurants, nano production units of farm and non-farm products, are all being undertaken by women’s collectives. What explains this transformation of lives and livelihoods on an unprecedented scale through the DAY-NRLM since 2011, and more so since 2014-15? How has the movement from social capital to economic activity happened?

Lets see- First, the intensive processes of developing social capital under DAY-NRLM have stood the test of time. They have emerged as vibrant community institutions of the poor. They have expanded their mandate from following only the Panchasutra of good savings and borrowing to Dasasutra that encompasses access to public services, education, health and well-being of poor households. The Rani Mistris of Simdega in Jharkhand reflect the confidence in these women’s collectives to break new ground in economic activity and skills. Vibrant community institutions of the poor are ideal economic activity opportunities as well, if pursued through relentless capacity building and hand-holding.