Dhanteras 2026.

Honouring wealth and wellbeing.

Dhanteras, observed on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik, falls on 06 Nov this year and marks the beginning of Diwali festivities. Also called Dhantrayodashi, it brings together the worship of wealth, wellbeing and auspicious beginnings.

The festival honours Lord Dhanvantari, regarded in Hindu tradition as the divine physician and associated with Ayurveda. According to the Bhagavata purana, Dhanvantari emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean bearing a pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality.

Her worship on Dhanteras reflects the traditional understanding of health as a precious gift. Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity and Kubera, the celestial treasurer, are also worshipped in many households.

Buying gold, silver or new utensils is a familiar custom, believed to to invite good fortune into the home. Yet the day's observances extend beyond acquisition. In many regions, families light a small earthen lamp for Yama, the god of death, praying for protection against untimely death. This ritual, known as Yama Deepam, is associated in popular tradition with a tale of a young prince whose life was saved through his bride's vigilance and the light of lamps.

Rafale-M makes landing on INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy's effort to integrate the French-made Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) was successful when the aircraft landed on INS Vikrant on its maiden attempt. The landing comes a week after the IN began trials of the Rafale-M at its Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa in Goa, which replicates a carrier's ski jump and arrester wires, to assess the modifications needed for the jet to operate from INS Vikrant.

The Rafale-Ms were designed for the French Navy's nuclear-powered Charles de aulle, which uses catapults to launch aircraft under CATOBAR (catapult-assisted take off but arrested recovery) system.

The Rafale-Ms will finally replace the IN's MiG-29Ks. 

I'd like to be called a Septolescent!

"Septolescent" is a term used to describe a person who is over 70 years old but still lives with the enthusiasm and energy of a teenager.

"Septo" refers to seven, representing 70+ while "adolescent" refers to teenagers. 

A septolescent is someone who even after turning 70, continues to live life with the enthusiasm of a teenager.

Normally, after crossing 70, some people think, "I have become old; my life is over".

But a septolescent doen't think that way. They see age as just a number and embrace family as if starting a new chapter.

All about the recently concluded Jio IPO.

Rupees 7.5 lakh cr have been collected from 1% of the Indian population.......for an IPO from the Reliance group!

This is the simple, true strength Indians possess and sure this is just the "tip of the iceberg", that I will never want to melt.

The confidence in an Indian business family, is so huge that apart from our country folk, we have American President, Secretary and so many others visiting Jamnagar, for an interaction with the Ambanis to invite them to the US.

I feel proud to even read these figures and the way the baton is being passed on to the younger generations, with enormous trust in them!

I'm sure the world is stunned at these figures of this IPO and would love to know what the US, Pakistan and Bangladesh feel about this reach and strength of Indians.

Read again - 7.5 lakh crores of rupees legally taken from over 1.3 cr of Indians.

My take

Some idiot said India is dead economy.

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.