28 strategic Ladakh sites on official map.

The centre, yesterday, formally identified 28 strategic places and geographical features in Ladakh on the official map of India.

LAC friction points among sites identified

The government said in a statement that formally identifying them on the Survey map of Ladakh will help streamline official cartography, facilitate accurate recognition and promote greater public awareness. Gogra and Hot Spring, key friction points during the 2020 India-China military stand off, are among the strategic locations identified on the map.

Comes after similar action in Arunachal

* The list includes :-

   - Alisha Giri

   - Brangsa

   - Chapchingal Pass

   - Kanishka Peak

   - Karun Pir Mountain

   - Kuksei

   - Martand Giri

   - Parpik Glacier

   - Skamri Glacier

   - Shachmirik Pass

   - Shkorga Valley and

   - Zorawar Peak. 

* It comes nearly two months after the government identified a total of 27 places and features located 

   in Arunachal Pradesh.

10 peaks and three mountains among the 28 places/features identified.

Viva Captain Smit Machchhar!

                      Keralam pays its respectful salute to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar

                      for his extraordinary courage and resilience. The world will, forever reme-

                      mber his bravery in protecting the lives of passengers aboard Flydubai flig-

                      ht FZ1073. Despite sustaining injuries in a grave and challenging situation

                      Captain Machchhar displayed remarkable valour, composure and unwave-

                      ring devotion to duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Machch-

                      har for a swift and full recovery.

                                                                                          @ VD Satheesan, Chief Minister

16 Mahajanapadas (Capitals) of Ancient India.

  1. Gandhara

      Taxila

  2. Kamboja

      Rajapura

  3. Surasena

      Mathura

  4. Matsya

      Viratnagara

  5. Vatsa

      Kaushambi

  6. Avanti

      North : Ujjain

      South : Mahishmati

  7. Chedi (or Chetiya)

      Shuktimati

  8. Asmaka

      Potana/Potali

  9. Magadha

      Rajagriha (Pataliputra)

10. Kashi

      Varanasi

11. Anga

     Champa

12. Vajji

      Vaishali

13. Malla

      Kushinagar and Pava

14. Kosala

      Northern : Shravasti

      Southern : Kushavati

15. Panchala

      Northern : Ahichhatra

      Southern : Kampilya

16. Kuru

      Indraprastha

      

    

    

Student suicides.

Report on student suicides by 31 Oct

 

* Findings of the Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force examining student suicides due by

   31 Oct.

* The task force was constituted by Supreme Court in March last year to address rising cases of

   student suicides and examine mental health.

15% students in colleges and varsities face acute distress

The nationwide survey by SC-appointed task force also found that 9% students reported suicidal 

thoughts, in the last six months.

Social discrimination rampant

The panel had earlier this year submitted an interim report in which it found students in colleges had to deal with "deep-rooted social discrimination, rampant sexual harassment in medical and engineering colleges; gender discrimination, hostel curfews and moral policing; caste identification by NEET-UG and JEE ranks and caste-based humiliation". 

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.