"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Positive Reads

Smile More: 5 Fun Facts to Celebrate World Smile Day

A smile is one of the simplest yet most powerful things we can share It costs nothing takes only a second and has the ability to brighten someone s entire day On World Smile Day it s worth exploring the science psychology and human stories behind this small but mighty gesture From babies to adults even animals smiles have profound effects on our well-being and social connections Here are intresting facts about smiling nbsp nbsp Babies Smile Before They Can TalkPerhaps the most heartwarming fact about smiles is that humans start smiling very early in life Newborns begin showing reflex smiles within the first few weeks often while sleeping By the age of six to eight weeks babies start smiling socially responding to familiar voices faces and playful gestures A baby s first smile is more than just adorable it s an early form of communication and bonding Parents often

3 Oct 2025
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When Devotion Meets Sustainability: Lalabagan Nabankur’s Eco-Friendly Durga Puja

This year the Lalabagan nbsp Nabankur Durga nbsp Puja Pandal in North Kolkata has captured citywide attention for its innovative and socially conscious theme Constructed using over lakh plastic bottles the pandal aims to shed light on the escalating environmental crisis caused by plastic pollution By transforming discarded plastic into art the puja committee is creating a striking visual while simultaneously delivering a critical message about the oceans and marine life The theme titled Karagar Cage is designed to resemble an underwater aquarium Real fish swim inside the setup symbolizing the entrapment and suffering of aquatic organisms in oceans choked with plastic waste The Theme Karagar A Symbol of Marine StruggleThe idea behind the theme is deeply symbolic Tapas Ray secretary of Lalabagan Nabankur explains This cage is a symbolic portrayal of how the fish and other underwater lives feel when they are engulfed in the huge amounts of plastics

1 Oct 2025
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More Than Street Art : Kolkata Paints History with 500-Foot Alpana

Durga Puja in Kolkata is not just a religious festival it is an emotion an identity and a grand celebration of life Every year the city transforms into a canvas of creativity where art devotion and community spirit converge In that canvas became literal as Newtown unveiled a record-breaking alpana a traditional floor art stretching feet in length and covering nearly square feet This wasn t just decoration it was a monumental expression of Kolkata s culture and resilience What Is an Alpana Alpana is a traditional art form from Bengal usually drawn on floors with rice paste and natural colors during festive occasions The motifs often include flowers leaves geometric shapes and spiritual symbols Historically alpanas were modest in size decorating courtyards and puja spaces But in Kolkata s Newtown this year the scale was redefined turning a nbsp neighborhood street into an open-air gallery Key Details of the

26 Sep 2025
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Secrets of the Earth: Nagaland and Meghalaya on UNESCO’s Global Map

In a landmark move for India s natural heritage Nagaland s Naga Hill Ophiolite and Meghalaya s ancient caves have been added to UNESCO s tentative World Heritage list nbsp signaling international recognition of their unique geological and historical significance This inclusion not only emphasizes the scientific and cultural value of these sites but also aims to strengthen conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism in the region nbsp Naga Hill Ophiolite A Window into Earth s Deep HistoryLocated in Kiphire district Nagaland the Naga Hill Ophiolite is one of the world s most significant geological formations Ophiolites are sections of ancient oceanic crust that have been uplifted and exposed on land due to tectonic activity The Naga Hill Ophiolite provides an extraordinary opportunity for scientists to study materials that are usually buried deep beneath the ocean floor This rare rock assemblage offers insights into the formation and evolution of continents

26 Sep 2025
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Dr. Nandini Bhowmik: India’s First Female Priestess Leads Durga Puja

In the heart of Kolkata Dr Nandini Bhowmik a distinguished Indologist Sanskrit scholar and theatre artist has carved her name into history by stepping into a space long dominated by men the sacred priesthood of Durga Puja Traditionally the rituals of Bengal s biggest festival have been conducted by male Brahmin priests leaving little room for women to be seen beyond the roles of devotees and organizers nbsp By leading Durga Puja rituals both at community pandals and at her own residence she has become a symbol of courage and defiance against patriarchal norms What was once unimaginable seeing a woman chanting mantras offering nbsp pushpanjali and conducting nbsp aarti is now a reality thanks to her perseverance A Scholar Reformer and PerformerAs a Sanskrit professor and Indologist she has spent her career exploring the depth of Hindu scriptures and their historical interpretations This knowledge has given her the confidence

23 Sep 2025
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The Heartbeat of Mumbai: Rajabai Clock Tower’s Timeless Chime

In a city that never slows down where the rush of trains honking of traffic and glow of mobile screens dominate daily life some sounds quietly endure One such sound is the deep steady chime of the Rajabai Clock Tower Rising gracefully over the Oval Maidan and the University of Mumbai s Fort campus the tower s bells have marked time for generations of Mumbaikars They echo through cricket matches on the Maidan the bustle of Churchgate station and the colonial lanes of Fort like the city s own heartbeat steady and familiar The Rajabai Tower is not just an ornament of the skyline it is a functioning timekeeper and remarkably still powered not by electricity but by human effort The Tower s Origins Gothic Grandeur of the th CenturyBuilt in the Rajabai Clock Tower was once the tallest structure in Mumbai Designed in the Gothic Revival style by British

23 Sep 2025
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Nine Nights of Devotion : Navratri 2025 Colours and Their Meaning

Navratri one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga Spread over nine nights and ten days devotees worship the nine different forms of Maa Durga with rituals prayers fasting and festivities In Shardiya Navratri will be observed from September to October ending with Vijayadashami Beyond rituals songs and Garba one unique tradition is the observance of Navratri colours Each of the nine days is associated with a specific colour symbolizing the qualities of the goddess being worshipped on that day Wearing these colours is believed to bring positivity blessings and spiritual connection Why Navratri is Celebrated for Nine DaysThe festival of Navratri is deeply rooted in the legendary battle between Goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura According to Hindu scriptures Mahishasura was a mighty demon who after receiving a boon from Lord Brahma that no

22 Sep 2025
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Mukhi: The Cub Leading India’s Cheetah Comeback

When cheetahs were declared extinct in India in few imagined that the spotted sprinters would ever return For decades the absence of the fastest land animal was a reminder of ecological loss History turned a new page when India launched Project Cheetah a global conservation experiment that brought cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh Today with the project not only are cheetahs back but they are also multiplying At the heart of this remarkable journey stands Mukhi a young female cub whose survival story has captured hearts across India and beyond Mukhi s Birth A Historic MomentOn March a female cheetah named Jwala brought from Namibia gave birth to four cubs in Kuno National Park Among them was Mukhi the first cub born on Indian soil after reintroduction But joy quickly turned into heartbreak A deadly heatwave struck Kuno and three of the

20 Sep 2025
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Flavours of Heritage: Manipur’s Hathei Chilli Festival Celebrates Culture and Community

In Manipur s Ukhrul district the small hill village of Sirarakhong comes alive each year with the fiery hues of red chillies and the vibrant rhythm of cultural performances The th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival inaugurated this week is more than a celebration of spice it is a showcase of tradition and community pride Organized annually to promote the GI-tagged Hathei chilli the three-day event has become a defining cultural and economic moment for the Tangkhul Naga community This chilli native to Sirarakhong is cherished across India for its bright red color medium pungency and distinctive aroma making it both a culinary favorite and a cultural symbol From a Village Field to a National IdentityThe journey of the Hathei chilli is a story of how a local crop can transcend boundaries to gain national and even global recognition Its Geographical Indication GI tag earned in has not only secured its

19 Sep 2025
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