Why do birds have different-shaped beaks?

A bird's beak is more than just a mouth. Its shape is closely linked to what the bird eats and how it finds food. Eagles have sharp, hooked beaks for tearing flesh., while sparrows have short, strong beaks suited to cracking seeds.

Hummingbirds have long, slender beaks that help them reach nectar-deep inside flowers. Ducks have broad, flattened bills that help them filter food from water and mud.

These differences developed over generations through evolution, as birds adapted to different environments and food sources. In short, a bird's beak is a specialised tool shaped by its way of life.

16 things a school doesn’t teach you.

  1. How to sell

  2. How to think

  3. How to negotiate

  4. How to face failure

  5. How to manage time

  6. How to invest money

  7. Principles of success

  8. How to find your passion

  9. How to handle money 

10. How to make an impact

11. How to start a business 

12. The importance of travel

13. How to communicate well

14. Emotional awareness/intelligence 

15. How to read a financial statement 

16. How income tax works

My take

One must work on one’s own and gain knowledge in what one wants.

Good cause.

How the UN has helped advance education and children's rights around the world.

1. Universal declaration, 1948

    Adopted in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognised education as a right,

    calling for free, compulsory elementary schooling. Article 26 still informs education policy

    and efforts to make learning accessible to every child around the world.

2. Education quality treaty

    UNESCO adopted the Convention against Discrimination in Education in 1960, obliging states to

    oppose exclusion in school access and opportunity. It remains a legal tool for challenging unequal

    treatment based on race, sex, language, social origin or other grounds.

3. Education for all at Jomtien

    In 1990, delegates at Jomtien adopted the World Declaration on Education for All, focusing on 

    basic learning needs for children, youth and adults. It helped guide reforms and later global targets, 

    including support for early learning and literacy worldwide.

4. UN literacy decade launched

    UN declared 2003-'12 the Literacy Decade to extend learning to adults and children excluded

    from school. Its emphasis on locally sustained literacy still informs efforts to keep adult educ-

    ation and marginalised learners on policy agendas worldwide.

5. SDG 4 sets education goal

    Adopted in 2015, Sustainable Development Goal 4 committed countries to inclusive, equitable, 

    quality education and lifelong learning for all. Its targets guide efforts on school access, gender

    equality, skills, learning outcomes and support for disadvantaged learners. 

Why Trump backed off the 100% tariff?

What really happened behind the curtains?

The world saw a deal

But missed the dealer.

Enter Narendra Modi

And his legendary Gujju mind.

12 Sep 2026.

New Delhi, BRICS Summit.

Putin.

Xi Jinping.

Pezeskian.

Modi.

One table.

Four leaders.

One American headache.

Trump's 100% tariff threat.

"He will pass Lindsey O. Graham

Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 

2026".

Everyone looked worried.

Modi smiled.

"Relax, gentlemen. I have a plan".

A plan he had discussed with

Jaishankar a day before.

Modi turned to Pezeskian

"Brother, tighten the Strait of

Hormuz".

Two more turns. That's enough.

Pezeskian : "But India's oil?"

Modi : "I'll manage".

Xi : I can also manage".

Putin : "And what about me?"

Modi : "Announce an oil production 

cut.

Blame sanctions.

Blame Ukrainian attacks.

Blame damaged refineries".

Putin : "And then".

Modi : "Oil prices will shoot up".

Xi leaned forward.

Pezeskian stopped blinking.

Modi continued.

"America will feel the heat.

Fuel prices will rise.

Trump's midterms are

approaching".

Putin : "So?"

Modi : "His voters will roast him.

He'll come running to you".

Silence.

Then Putin smiled.

The trap was set.

Oil supply tightened.

Markets grew nervous.

Washington felt the heat.

And within 48 hours....

Ring! Ring!

Trump calling Putin.

Trump : "Vladimir, let's make a 

deal".

Putin : "But your 100% tariff?"

Trump : "Waived! Don't worry".

"Fantastic deal! I'm a dealmaker!"

Of course, Donald.

Even the fire brigade makes deal

after someone sets the kitchen 

ablaze.

Meanwhile, poor Zelensky.

Russian attacks intensified.

Then Starlink reportedly slowed.

Zelensky called Elon Musk.

"Elon! what's happening? Your

Starlink is just buffering".

Musk : "Not me. Starshield".

Zelensky : "What the hell is that?"

Musk : "Ask Trump".

Now count the winners.

Trump got his deal.

Putin got his leverage.

Iran got its moment.

China got breathing space.

India got tariff relief.

Japan and other oil buyers?

They celebrated too.

And Zelensky?

Still waiting for internet.

This is the Gujju mind.

Not taught at Harvard.

Not found in geopolitics textbooks.

Modi speaks of Gandhi and

Budha.

But behind the scenes, he plays 

Chanakya.

A little mischief.

A little psychology.

And the chessboard changes.

Look at the world today.

Hormuz.

Bab el-Mandeb.

Houthis.

Hezbollah.

Iran.

Israel.

America.

Wars.

Sanctions.

Chaos.

Yet India keeps moving.

Petrol pumps functioning.

Households carrying on.

Growth around 7.8% to 8%.

That's the new Bharat many fail to

understand.

You may have 100 problems with 

Modi.

I even have many in my list too.

But give credit where it is due.

The man knows how to play chess

while others are fighting over dice.

And psychological warfare?

Sometimes the biggest victory

comes without firing a bullet.

The Para Asian Games @ Aichi Nagoya.

As the continental event came to a close today, the country has registered a historic haul and secured the 4th place in the overall medal tally.

More reward with lower strength

Despite 168 para-athletes for this edition, which was nearly half the contingent size that went to the Hangzhou Games in 2023, India returned with 114 medals, the breakdown of which is given below :-

          * Gold                   30

          * Silver                  35

          * Bronze                49

In the previous edition, India had sent 309 para-athletes and they finished fifth on the medal tally with 101 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze behind China, Japan and Uzbekistan.

Highest single-day haul yesterday

* Yesterday, India collected nine gold medals, their highest single-day haul in the ongoing edition, with 

   top finishes registered in archery, shooting, badminton and athletics.

* Athletics, as always, ended up being the driving force snaring 65 medals in all, 12 more than 2023.

Don't leave anything for later...

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later, you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into

night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not

doing something

when you had the

chance. 

Growth of core sectors.

Production in key infrastructure industries rose to 7.9% in September, the fastest pace under the new series, official data showed yesterday.

Among segments, iron ore output rose by 18.4%, electricity by 11.4%, coal by 10.7% and refinery products by 10.3%, the data showed. Cement production rose 9.8% and steel by 4.9% in September compared with the same period last year.

However, fertilisers (-11.7%), natural gas (-4.6%) and crude oil (-1.4%) output fell during the month under review.

The core sector expanded by 3.19% in September last year and 5.9% in Aug '26, according to the government data.

My take

A good show when compared with the prevalent uncertainties, within the country and without!