Why India was called 'Sone ki chidiya"

India used to be known as the kingdom of abundance or "Sone ki chidiya'. The reasons are reiterated below :-

1. Abundance of gold and precious metals

   * India had rich sources of gold, silver and other precious metals.

   * Foreign travellers wrote about  India's vast wealth and glittering markets.

   * Indian goods often attracted gold and silver from abroad.

2. Spice trade hub

   * India produced valuable spices like pepper, , cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and more.

   * Spices were in high demand in West Asia, Europe and beyond.

   * The spice trade brought enormous wealth to Indian kingdoms and ports.

3. Major maritime trade and network

   * Indian merchants traded across the Indian Ocean with West Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia

      and China.

   * Indian ports like Muziris, Barygaza (Bharuch), Kaveripattinam and Calicut were global

      trade centres.

   * Maritime trade brought immense wealth and cultural exchange.

4. Diamonds and precious gemstones

   * India was famous for its diamonds, including the Golconda diamonds.

   * Also known for rubies, sapphires, emeralds and other gemstones.

   * Indian gemstones were highly sought after in the global markets.

5. Exports more than imports

   * India exported high-value goods like textiles, spices, gems, steel and indigo.

   * Many foreign traders, including the Romans, Arab merchants and later Europeans, brought

      gold and silver to pay for Indian goods.

   * This constant inflow of wealth strengthened India's economy.

6. World-famous Indian textiles

   * Indian cotton, muslin, silk and fine textiles were highly valued worldwide

   * Textiles from Bengal, Gujarat, Coromandel and other regions dominated global markets.

   * European traders came to India mainly to buy textiles.

7. Advanced metallurgy and steel

   * India produced high-quality iron and steel, including wootz steel, famous worldwide.

   * Indian steel was prized for its strength and quality (even used in making Damascus steel).

   * Advanced metal working techniques gave India a global reputation.

8. Rich agriculture and natural resources

   * Fertile plains and diverse climates allowed large-scale agriculture.

   * Crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, indigo and others created substantial surplus.

   * Forests provided timber, elephants, spices and other valuable resources.

9. Powerful kingdoms and royal treasuries

  

   * Empires like the Mauryas, Guptas, Cholas, and other regional kingdoms accumulated enormous

      wealth.

   * Royal treasuries were filled with gold, jewels, elephants and luxury goods.

   * Foreign accounts describe the grandeur and wealth of Indian courts.

10. A global centre of culture and knowledge

   * India attracted scholars, travellers and traders from around the world.

   * Renowned for its education centres, science, philosophy, art and spiritual traditions.

   * Its overall prosperity, stability and cultural influence added to its legendary wealth.

    

  

 

Boeing detects software issues.

Software issues are plaguing some of Boeing's 737 Max planes. The glitch could result in disengagement of the automated flight guidance system after a missed landing approach.

96 aircraft operated by Indian carriers.

   

   * Air India Express and Akasa Air together operate 96 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Neither has confirmed

      any issues with their fleet.

   * Boeing's 737 Max aircraft have faced repeated grounding in the past over safety issues. A malfunct-

      ioning software was blamed for two major crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed more than 300 people.

2,400 737 Max planes delivered by Boeing to customers worldwide.

Empathy in action.

Omoiyari - The art of consideration.

 

Kindness doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes, it is noticing that someone is tired and giving them space, remembering a friend dislikes something without being reminded or helping before a request is made. This quiet attentiveness is captured by the Japanese concept of omoiyari.

The practice conveys empathy, consideration and sensitivity to another person's circumstances. It involves imagining what someone may be feeling or needing and responding with care, without drawing attention to the gesture. In Japanese social life, omoiyari is associated with consideration for others and maintaining harmonious relationships.

Its value extends beyond etiquette. At home, it may mean recognising when a family member needs encouragement rather than advice. At work, it could mean sharing information a colleague will need before they have to ask. With an elderly person, it might be offering assistance while still showing them the dignity of deciding whether they want it.

Omoiyari is not mind reading nor does it mean deciding what is best for someone. It begins with attentiveness but leaves room for the other's wishes. In a world that often rewards speaking first, omoiyari offers another discipline : pause, notice, imagine - and then respond with consideration.

Can add years to your life.

  1. Never take medicines with cold water.

      It slows absorption.

  2. Hydrate more in the morning.

      Ease up at night.

  3. Don't lie down after meals.

      Walk a little instead.

  4. Avoid calls below 10% battery.

      Radiation spikes.

  5. Say no to tea/coffee right after eating.

      It blocks nutrients.

  6. Stop endless scrolling in the dark.

      Your eyes will hurt you.

  7. Don't chug water during meals.

      Sip slowly.

  8. Eat fruits on empty stomach.

      Better absorption.

  9. Avoid heavy meals after 5 PM.

      Your gut needs rest too.

10. Sleep between 10 PM and 4 AM.

      That's your body's repair window.

11. Take calls on your left ear.

      It's safer for your brain.

12. Breakfast = Fuel.

      Don't skip it.

13. Catch 30 minutes of sunlight daily.

      Your natural Vitamin D.

14. Stretch every hour if you sit too long.

      Relaxes the muscles.

15. Keep your phone away from your pillow.

      Sleep safer. 

16. Never reuse cooking oil.

      It turns toxic.

    

India's Russian Oil imports

Hold at 1-8 million barrels per day

India's Russian crude oil imports held at 1.8 mn bpd in September as stronger Chinese buying curbed flows but West Asian suppliers filled the gap.

Lost volumes replenished by gulf nations

India imported 2.82 mn bpd of Russian crude oil in July, which slipped to 2.08 mn bpd in August, according to global commodities data and analytics firm Kpler. Iraq and Saudi made up for the drop in Russian volumes. Iraq supplied 505 bpd of crude this month, up from 163,000 bpd in August. Saudi volumes rose to 576,000 bpd in September from 347,000 bpd last month.

Giving up Russian crude will be pricey

The outlook of Russian supplies could become more complicated if the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 results in tougher restrictions on countries continuing to buy Russian oil.

The lead analyst at Kpler said India can technically replace Russian crude, although the shift would come at a higher cost.

2022 is when India became an important buyer of Russian crude.

Eight years of Ayushman Bharat

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY has transformed healthcare from a financial worry into a stronger safety net. With cashless hospitalisation and health cover of up to Rs.5 lakh per family every year, the scheme designed to protect families from the burden of exorbitant medical expenses.

And the impact adds up, literally every second.

* Rs.8,100 in hospital bills covered every second

* Rs.4.9 lakh saved every minute

* Rs.2.9 crore every hour

* Rs.70 crore

Behind every number is a family that could focus on recovery instead of worrying about how to pay the hospital bill. That is the scale of change when healthcare is treated as a priority and technology, public infrastructure and policy come together.

One clear vision : a healthier, more secure India.

Habits of happy people!

1. They don't show off

2. They talk less

3. They learn daily

4. They ignore nonsense

5. They help the less fortunate

6. They laugh more

My take

You can now appreciate as to how happy you are! Or are you happy at all?