Svadharm emphasizes self-reliance, interconnectedness, and adhering to one's own path while being compassionate and following ahimsa. It promotes authentic living and personal development, transcending religious boundaries. Following one's svadharm aligns with one's true self and contributes to the welfare of humanity, as highlighted by thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and teachings in the Gita.

The Trump administration's revocation of $400 million in federal research funding to Columbia University has triggered a lawsuit by academic groups. They accuse the government of using financial leverage to suppress free speech and campus autonomy. This move highlights broader tensions over university independence and political interference in American higher education.

Never mind that the chikki has a tendency to leave a small souvenir or two behind. It turns out that the chikki isn't as brittle as the old filling was, leading to the destination of the dentist who will solemnly issue his or her decree: 'No more hard stuff.'

Bhupendra Singh from Kanpur outwitted a scamster claiming to be a 'CBI officer' who tried to blackmail him. Instead of paying the demanded 16k, Singh tricked the fraudster into sending him 10k by spinning convincing stories. Singh's ingenuity turned the tables, highlighting creative thinking in scam prevention.

India is making strides in ultra-high-speed rail (UHSR) with the development of a hyperloop test track. This new technology aims to significantly reduce travel times and energy consumption. While there are challenges related to infrastructure costs and safety concerns, successful trials could disrupt various industries, including aviation, rail, and urban planning.

Higher ATM interchange fees have been introduced by RBI to slow the decline in the number of ATMs and improve their profitability. This policy aims to stabilize ATM availability, particularly in rural areas, while promoting cashless transactions by maintaining limits on free transactions.

India is negotiating seven bilateral trade agreements, prioritising the US for strategic reasons amidst fluctuating global trade dynamics. These pacts aim to bolster India's economic position, addressing both market and manufacturing challenges, with the outcomes impacting India's external strategy significantly.

Indian football is facing a crisis, highlighted by the recent dismal performance against Bangladesh. The potential exit of Reliance-owned FSDL from ISL exacerbates the situation. The inclusion of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in the national team is suggested to improve performance and address the lack of talent.

Potong, situated near Bangkok's Chinatown, offers a distinctive dining experience crafted by chef Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij. The restaurant blends old-world charm with modern aesthetics, paying homage to Pam's family history. The 11-course tasting menu emphasizes salt, acid, spice, texture, and the Maillard reaction, creating innovative Thai-Cantonese dishes.

The human mind tends to focus on negativity, but recognizing positivity can enhance our wellbeing. The article narrates an incident where Saint Tukaram maintained calm and found gratitude, despite being repeatedly provoked. His response highlighted the power of positive thinking and emotional resilience.

IndusInd Bank faces scrutiny for a 1,500 crore derivative loss, with auditors investigating to uncover the causes. The loss, concealed through divergent accounting practices since 2016, has prompted anger among employees and raised concerns about regulatory oversight. The bank must act swiftly to restore investor trust and address potential fallout from the crisis.

Indias booming economy and loud public environments present a unique opportunity for local companies to penetrate the global noise-cancellation market. By leveraging the intense noise levels in Indian streets as a testing ground, Indian companies can develop highly credible ANC headphones and earplugs, potentially turning this into a lucrative, export-focused industry.

India's asset management growth and rising financial awareness have birthed a class of sophisticated investors geared to drive innovation. Sebi's accredited investor framework enhances their access to high-value investments, stimulating market expansion and economic growth. This shift attracts HNIs to alternate asset classes, fostering a dynamic investment ecosystem and enabling capital flow into promising sectors.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta presented the first budget, focusing on a significant increase in capital expenditure and delivering on electoral promises such as monthly payouts to women. The rise in aspirational politics, driven by better social welfare spending, faces challenges due to growing public discontent and political protests.

BYD surpassed $100 billion in revenue for 2024 and has become China's top carmaker by sales, overtaking Volkswagen. The company is expanding overseas despite tariffs, with plans for a third European plant. BYD's innovative supercharger network and free driverless car tech aim to boost consumer interest, supported by favourable Chinese policies that enhance global competitiveness.

The Karnataka assembly recently passed a bill introducing a controversial 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts, sparking a significant debate. Critics argue this move undermines the principle of equality, with potential long-term socio-political repercussions for India's religiously diverse society.

Voice of America, a key U.S. instrument of global influence, faces uncertainty amid Trump administration's funding cuts. Established in 1942 to combat Nazi propaganda, VoA expanded American values worldwide. Revised priorities raise concerns over America's commitment to free press abroad.

Karnataka High Court will hear a case involving X (formerly Twitter) alleging the Government of India is misusing Section 79 of the IT Act to block online content, instead of following the legally mandated Section 69A. The outcome could redefine India's online content regulation. The case argues that bypassing procedural safeguards violates the Supreme Court's ruling in Shreya Singhal v.

Sebi's enhanced ownership disclosure requirements for FPIs aim to prevent market selloffs and create barriers for foreign investors with minimal Indian equity exposure. This decision is expected to attract offshore capital despite the potential rise in speculative trading and efforts to control market volatility.

As a society, we encounter diverse types of humour through platforms like smartphones and social media. The way we publicly react to jokes has become a reflection of our identity, often leading to criticism or even violent reactions when jokes are perceived as offensive or unfunny.

Elon Musk's firing of thousands of US government employees has created a potential security risk; with their specialized knowledge, they may be targeted by foreign intelligence recruiters. This sudden job loss could lead to a leakage of sensitive information to countries like China and Russia. The situation calls for vigilance to avoid an espionage crisis.

Ramzan is a time for Muslims to train their minds and develop spirituality by abstaining from food, water, and negative behaviors. The Prophet discouraged continuous fasting, emphasizing the month as a period for internal purification and growth, fostering good will and piety for lifelong commitment.

Financial markets are experiencing significant volatility with portfolio outflows, debt interlinkages in smaller enterprises raising concerns, and regulatory scrutiny. The Indian IPO market is robust, yet smaller firms continue to rely heavily on debt, sometimes leading to governance issues. Enhanced institutional mechanisms are needed to ensure responsible growth and long-term wealth creation.

Donald Trumps economic proposals threaten to destabilize the dollar as the global financial anchor. Analysts fear this could return the world to a gold standard, despite past challenges, leading to potential financial instability and crises without US-led global economic leadership.

Brazil, host of COP30, is reportedly clearing sections of the Amazon to build a highway for the eco-conference. This decision has faced criticism for its environmental impact, overshadowing the summit's purpose of addressing climate change. The highway plan had been repeatedly delayed due to environmental concerns.

The political dynamic between India and the US is shifting as India contemplates making US-specific trade concessions. The focus is on a potential trade deal that balances economic give-and-take with political benefits, under Trump's pressure for a politically beneficial agreement.

Stress in credit card portfolios of banks is peaking due to regulatory tightening of unsecured credit, with delinquencies largely among low-ticket sizes. The Reserve Bank of India is easing microcredit lending rules and urging banks to reduce impaired unsecured loan ratios to mitigate systemic risks.

By February's end, Goa and Maharashtra faced heatwaves, making it the hottest month in 125 years. With temperatures rising, India's health and economy are at risk. Rivers are drying up, and without mitigation, food production, water stress, and job losses will worsen. Effective heat action plans are necessary.

Now and then janitors would go by with steaming percolators, now and then I would stumble into rest rooms where secretaries hastily renewed their make-up, now and then agents disguised as elevator men would strike up conversations - one of them had an artificial leg and he took me from floor to floor so many times that after a while he began waving to me from a distance and even stopped photographing me with the camera-carnation in his lapel.

Maha Kumbh 2024 attracted 600-660 million visitors, far exceeding projections. With per-capita expenditure at 2,000, total spend reached 1.2 lakh crore. The potential for developing religious tourism as a growth engine is highlighted, emphasizing the need for infrastructure, comfort, and sustained publicity.

Pope Francis highlights the symbolism of ashes during Lent as a reminder of our mortality and humility. In Hinduism, sacred ash signifies purity and detachment from physical existence, while in Buddhism, ashes represent the cyclical nature of life. Ancient Romans used reminders of mortality to maintain perspective. Embracing our impermanence, we should strive to leave a positive legacy.

The controversy surrounding Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma, where 10 cr unaccounted cash was found at his residence following a fire, highlights persistent concerns over judicial conduct. The matter is being investigated under the procedure outlined in the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968. The process to remove judges for 'proved misbehaviour' or 'incapacity' in India remains lengthy and challenging.

Dave Grohl's 'Marigold,' originally recorded during his time with Nirvana and later adapted by Foo Fighters, is a gentle, understated song exuding a quiet, meditative quality. Its stripped-down essence and Grohl's whispering vocals create a timeless beauty, standing out amidst his often loud, energetic music. The song's simplicity and poetic lyrics make it a unique gem in Grohl's musical repertoire.

Kenichi Ohmae's 'borderless world' concept is being challenged by rising protectionism. The Trump administration's tariffs on countries like Canada and China threaten global trade dynamics. Nations are recalibrating policies, with Europe and China bolstering self-reliance. India must adapt and strengthen intra-Asian trade. Potential outcomes include escalating trade conflicts, regional trade agreements, or pragmatic globalisation.

Narcissists, who are often charming and confident, can mask insecurity or exhibit grandiosity. Their traits include arrogance, lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration. Spiritual narcissists believe they are more enlightened than others, displaying manipulativeness and self-delusion that prioritizes ego growth over actual spiritual development.

Elon Musk's contention against GoI's digital content control highlights the broader issue of India's digital sovereignty. The balance between partnership for growth and maintaining autonomy is delicate, especially with global corporations dominating GDPI. Local development of digital utilities is crucial for India's long-term sovereignty.

Five years since Covid began, the World Happiness Report 2024 reveals a sustained increase in kindness, with helping strangers up by 18% and generous acts still over 10% above pre-pandemic levels. Despite the global crisis, humanity's instinct to help has flourished.

GoI faces the challenge of addressing unpaid AGR by telecom companies as Vi seeks urgent equity conversion permissions. The authorities explore designing relief packages to alleviate industry costs while safeguarding competition and avoiding nationalizing telecom losses.

India's travel and tourism sector saw a rise in domestic travel, especially during the Maha Kumbh and wedding season, regaining pre-pandemic economic levels. However, despite efforts to promote international tourism, issues like poor air quality and high costs remain barriers, deterring foreign tourists.

Songs can evoke powerful memories, transporting individuals back to significant moments in their lives. Personal anecdotes involving music from childhood, first cassette purchases, and family nostalgia are shared. Instances like a fathers fondness for Gina Lollobrigida or BS Chandrasekhar's cricketing memories linked to a specific song illustrate music's profound impact.

A Bengaluru-based distillery launched a single malt whisky priced at 10 lakh for a 700 ml bottle, indicating a significant shift in economic principles. This high-priced whisky challenges traditional notions of value, emphasizing exclusivity and status. The shift from 'Value for Money' to 'Money for Value' represents new marketing strategies targeting wealthier consumers.

After a hiatus in Ooty, I returned to see India's uproar over Gen AI chatbot Grok, causing a stir for its contentious comments. Meanwhile, X challenges the Indian government's Section 79(3)(b) IT Act for creating an alleged unlawful content censorship regime.

There is much more that a gifted sutradhari (master-planner) and shilpi (sculptor) can also achieve. Take, for example, the mid-6th century CE Shiva cave at Elephanta, near Mumbai. This magnificent cave unfolds the Presence of Shiva, as Stella Kramrisch has so eloquently explained in her eponymous book (1981). The makers of this cave have transformed it into a grand stage. Its rows of sturdy yet ornate pillars mark space and time with their assured symmetry and rhythm. The linga, symbolising the