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News - Indian Railways
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#1 The First Train in India: Bombay to Thane (1853) – (Indian Railways Series)

0 As we all know, the first train in India ran between Bombay and Thane in 1853. This was a historic moment that marked the birth of the railway era in India. You will be shocked to know that people back then were afraid to even sit on the train. The idea of a train was first proposed in 1832, but it took 21 years for the first train to actually run in India. The construction faced many challenges and could have been smoother. The Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphinstone, wanted to connect Bombay City to Thane, which was 34 km away. He brought in engineers from England to build this railway line. Construction started in 1851 amidst protests from native villagers. They had never seen such huge machinery and smoke-spewing trains before. Many believed it was a demon creation that would bring ill fate! Triumph Over Superstitions  But the British were determined and overcame all superstitions and obstacles. The hard work paid off when India’s first train ran on April 16, 1853, between Bombay and Thane. It was hauled by three steam locomotives named Sindh, Sultan, and Sahib.  The historic journey took 57 minutes to complete at a speed of 34 km/hr. The trains had no toilets or lights back then. Passengers sat on wooden benches in candle lit carriages. Fear of the Unknown Most Indians had never seen a train before. So people were fearful about sitting inside them. According to a passed-down oral tradition, a Parsi priest had to ride the first train before allowing people to use it. After his safe journey, people’s fear vanished. Thousands gathered at the station for the inaugural ride.  The success of this short line led to the rapid expansion of railways across India in the 19th century. Connecting India In few decades, railway tracks were laid across the towns and cities of India. This helped in the connection of a vast nation like never before. Goods and people could now move faster. Railways reduced journey time from months to days. Not only that, the railways also gave a boost to industry and trade. New cities and industries developed along the railway routes. It also promoted nationalism by connecting diverse cultures. The railways played a key role in unifying the country under British rule. By 1930, India had one of the largest railway networks in the world, covering over 40,000 km! The First Step of a Journey The historic Bombay to Thane journey was just 34 km long. But it heralded the dawn of a new technological era in India. From humble beginnings, Indian Railways is today one of the largest employers in the world. The trains continue to be the nation’s lifeline, even after 170 years. So next time you hop on a train, remember how it all started with a single journey in 1853. That first step ignited a transport revolution that completely transformed India.

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Food Health & Wellness
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3.48K

Golden Milk: The Elixir for Plethora of Health Benefits 

0 Turmeric Milk, known as haldi doodh in India, is a traditional drink made by stirring turmeric into warm milk. This golden milk, the magical tonic brimming with a heap of health benefits, has been a go-to remedy for Indians for centuries.  In winter, especially when almost everyone is tickly coughing and feeling cold in chilly mornings and evenings, a warm cup of turmeric milk can sprinkle miracles.  Benefits of Turmeric Milk Relieves Pain  Feeling stiffness and pain in joints are common in winter, but this traditional beverage can alleviate pain and warm you with relief. The presence of anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric not only offer relief from joint pains, but also pave the way for lowering chronic illnesses like heart disease.  Cures Indigestion Holidays and celebrations brimming with luxurious, unhealthy meals can put you in the trouble of indigestion. Turmeric milk can ease you and bid farewell to aching bloating or digestive problems Boosts Immunity Daily consumption of turmeric milk can miraculously enhance your immune system. Especially when winter chills spread flu and cold, sipping a warm cup of golden milk can easily help you fight against illnesses. Helps Sleep Better  This golden milk also ensures a good night’s sleep. The curcumin present in turmeric makes it an elixir.  If you’re someone struggling with restlessness, having turmeric milk before bed can easily drift you off to sleep. Reduces Ageing  Are you so concerned about your skin? If so, the regular consumption of turmeric milk will give you a natural glow and vibrant youthfulness. The presence of antioxidant content will slow down the process of ageing. Golden milk also has the miraculous power to boost one’s memory by enhancing the functioning of the brain, thus being an elixir to fight against illnesses like Alzheimer’s. The regular consumption of this milk boosts your mood and helps you cope with depression and stress. The presence of calcium and vitamin D strengthens your bones. It’s also a home remedy for women who suffer from period cramps.   How to Make Turmeric Milk  Boil fresh milk over a medium heat in a saucepan. Add turmeric powder and stir well until the flavour and fragrance come out. Take the saucepan from the flame and add black pepper. You can also add honey, cinnamon and ginger to the lukewarm golden milk and mix it well before you sip.

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Technology
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What’s Hurkle-Durkling? The New Bed Rotting Craze On Social Media

0 TikTok is tirelessly propelling and fuelling one trend after another. Whether it be fascinatingly healthy like “Rat Snacking” or dangerously problematic like “Legging Legs”, the trends are often widely embraced and followed by netizens. The eras of cozy nighttime routine and bed rotting have gone with the coming of “hurkle-durkling”, the newest version of bed rotting. So if you’re someone who wants to prioritise sleeping and resting, this one’s for you. What’s Hurkle-Durkling?  Hurkle-Durkling is a quirky trend that encourages snoozing alarms and staying in bed as long as you want to. For example, it’s a Saturday morning, and you choose to be in the comfort of your cosy bed till noon rather than doing the workouts you should have. The weirdest part of this trend is prioritising rest and sleep over your busy, healthy schedule. Although it’s currently trending by garnering millions of views, this term is not entirely new. Hurkle-Durkling has a Spanish origin meaning, “ to lie in bed or lounge about when one should be up and about”. The term gained popularity when Kira Kosarin, the American actress, introduced hurkle-durkling on TikTok.  The Pros and Cons of Hurkle-Durkling  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, hurkle-durkling is healthy to an extent. While embracing resting, one learns to ease oneself from the orthodox, harsh schedule and pressure for productivity. Loosening thoughts and moving with a gentler pace. According to HuffPost, Marisha Mathis said, “Sometimes prioritising rest and having a slower start to the day is the best way to optimise your mental health”. An overdose of anything is unhealthy. When one stays and beats time from bed for an unusually long period, it is not fun. Mathis also said, “It might be a red flag when the hurkle-durkling extends beyond a slice of the morning and draws throughout the day, or becomes a regular occurrence that takes us away from our responsibilities or creates isolation from friends and families. This can contribute to or be a symptom of something more serious, such as depression”. Right Way To Huckle-Durkling  Instead of choosing to lounge in bed by doom-scrolling, cultivate a habit of writing journals, listening to motivational music and reading a good book to begin the day. Avoid lounging for an unusually long period. Hurkle-durkling should be all about embracing a slower pace to enhance mental well-being, it should never be about scampering away from responsibilities and drowning in one’s thoughts. 

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Automobile
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Japan Police Lexus LC500 to Dubai Police BMW i8: Some Coolest Police Cars In The World

0 In some countries, police cars are luxuriously awe-striking. The best supercars are chosen to craft police cars by modifying them with marvellous layers. From bright colours to iconic flashlights on the top, these cars are not only attractive, but also known for being the fastest cruisers. Their services vary from place to place, the Italian police supercars are used to transport organs while UAE police cars are often on display in malls. Here’s a list of some world’s coolest cop cars. Japan Police Lexus LC500 LC500 belongs to the Tochigi Prefecture Police Department. Slightly bathed in black and white shades with red flashing light on the roof and in the grille. These cars look as if they stemmed out of Japanese manga. They are not used for chasing and hunting criminals or ruffians, but for traffic policing.  Italian Police Lamborghini Urus Performante Urus Performante of Italian Police is a specifically crafted supercar with a refrigerator in the boot. This luxurious car is used mainly to transport organs to patients in need of transplant. The car is dressed up in a classical blue and white colour with the police logo crafted out of reflective film on the door. Apart from the refrigerator, there’s an armoured weapon box. Dubai Police BMW i8 Dubai Police has the coolest, fastest and luxurious fleet of supercars in the world. The mindblowing car has two scissor doors that look like wings when they’re opened. Unlike other police cars, they don’t have the iconic police flashlight on the roof. Also this exotic hybrid sport car is not used for chasing criminals, but for public relations. Dubai Police Bugatti Veyron This is another exceptionally marvelous car from the Dubai police collection. Veyron stands out as the fastest car to hold the Guinness Record for its remarkable speed of 408 kmph. Other luxurious supercars from the Dubai Police include Fort Mustang, Audi R8 V10, Ferrari FF, Lamborghini Aventador, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG etc UK Police Lotus Evora S This supercar offered to the UK Police by Lotus Company is another strikingly exotic police car in the world. They’re used for spreading road safety awareness on driving drunk, driving while scrolling through the screen, driving without a seatbelt and driving faster than the limit. 

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Food
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1.51K

Sleepy Girl Mocktail: The Trending Tart Cherry Juice To Easily Fall in Slumberland

0 Sleeping can be extremely difficult if you’re being haunted by stress and other mental health issues. Again the deprivation of sleep can further exacerbate your condition by instilling mood swings to cognitive challenges that can gradually fuel dementia. Sleeping deficiency is a major issue, from “Cognitive Shuffling” to “Sleepy Girl Mocktail”, people continue to propel one trend after another to help each other with a good night’s sleep. Sleepy Girl Mocktail Sleepy Girl Mocktail is a trending drink to easily fall in slumberland. The eras of “Lettuce Water” and “Pineapple Sleep Hack” have declined with the popularisation of “Sleepy Girl Mocktail”. The melatonin present in this mocktail helps you fall asleep faster. This concoction, just like other TikTok-fueled hacks, has garnered positive as well as negative reactions. Origin of Sleepy Girl Mocktail  This tart cherry juice was originally posted by a TikTok user named Calee Shea back in January 2023, but Calee Shea’s beverage lacked magnesium. The drink was later propelled to popularisation by Gracie Norton, who she was seen preparing the concoction by adding magnesium powder. This viral trend has garnered over 58.7 million views, intriguingly outshining as a powerful elixir that opens the door to slumberland.  How To Make Sleepy Girl Mocktail  Take a glass and pour half a cup of pure tart cherry juice. Add a tablespoon of magnesium powder and stir well until it’s evenly distributed. Top it with either sparkling water or prebiotic soda. Before taking a sip, don’t forget to sprinkle some ice cubes. Now you can swallow to see the magic! Things to Know Before Trying The Sleepy Girl Mocktail  One should be careful while choosing the magnesium powder. Magnesium power with the presence of citrate can seriously tire you, from diarrhea to bloating to gassiness, the side effects can be excruciatingly dangerous. While another user named Sierra Cooley has felt anxious due to being exposed to extremely vivid dreams. People who are suffering from chronic illnesses should either completely stay away or ask doctors to make sure that this won’t exacerbate the issue. Though this mocktail is not completely healthy, it’s still a better alternative to other cocktails and alcoholic consumptions. Choosing magnesium powder containing glycinate and sipping this concoction along with foods like cheese and almonds can help you fall asleep faster without having such side effects. 

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Automobile
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BMW Z3 to Alfa Romeo Spider: 4 Classic Sports Cars That Are Surprisingly Affordable 

0 Sports cars attract every sports enthusiast for their striking speed, captivating style, and rush of thrill. When it comes to classic collectibles, they’re jaw-dropping! The spectators will stare open-mouthed, and you’ll outshine like a star at meetings. But the classic cars being super expensive, often get buried inside one’s head as a mere dream. From the BMW Z3 to the Alfa Romeo Spider, there are affordable classic sports cars to spark your dream into reality.  Here’s the list of cars to hit the road and have all the fun in the world! BMW Z3 BMW Z3, the classic collectible, belonged to the years 1996-2002. Being inspired by Mazda Miata, BMW was set to outshine with an open two-seater car. In 1996, BMW Z3 with its striking blend of sleek design and performance, was unveiled at the North American International Show, the first ever BMW model to launch in America. The Z3 produced from 118 to 325 horsepower.  Jaguar XJS Jaguar XJS garnered the world’s attention between the years 1975-1996. This classic with elegant and sleek design has now shrunken into a hidden gem. If you’re looking for an affordable yet strikingly thrill-inducing sports car, this one’s an option you’ll never regret. It comes with an exquisite balance between comfort and power. Jaguar XJS’s engine is capable of producing horsepower up to 240. This classic can hit 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds. Porsche 924 Porsche 924 is another striking classic car to own for a thrilling ride full of fun. Though the model initially attracted criticism and skepticism, Porsche had managed to garner the love and attention it deserved. The 924 stands out with its incredible clean lines and pop-up headlines. It comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing up to 168 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. This timeless piece was mostly produced between 1976 and 1988.  Alfa Romeo Spider Alfa Romeo Spider is a classic sport gem showcasing the distinctive Italian automotive style. This roadster was produced from 1996-1994, crafted by Pininfarina, and marketed by Alfa Romeo. With its strikingly luxurious blend of power and performance,  this roadster continues to wow the riders as well as the spectators.  The Spider stands out with its unique front grille and classic round headlamps, making it the most charming timeless gem to own! 

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Travel
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Must-Visit Museums in India For Culture And History Enthusiasts 

0 India, the land of cultural diversity, is brimming with a plethora of architectural beauties that treasure the magnificent past. From museums that display ancient paintings and murals to museums that chronicle artifacts like costumes and weapons, India stores an astronomical amount of historic marks that are worth exploring for culture enthusiasts. If you’re excited to dig in, here’s a list of museums that will take you down memory lane.  Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad  Salar Jung Museum nestled against the bank of the Musi River is a breathtaking treasury bathed in the glory of art and culture. This museum is known for being the third largest national museum of India, impressively displaying priceless antiques from different civilizations.  Recently, Salar Jung has engraved its name in history as “the first digital national museum of epigraphy.” Entry Fee: Rs.200/person Don Bosco Centre, Shillong Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures is a museum that houses archaeological artifacts like costumes, ornaments, musical instruments, weapons, and other priceless items that once belonged to the Indigenous tribes of Northeast India. The top storey of this magnificent seven-story museum presents a rare traditional folk dance to entertain visitors.  Apart from the mesmerizing gallery, the centre also releases publications as well as runs a gigantic library with around 110,475 books useful for history buffs.  Entry Fee: Rs.15/person Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur Alongside the peaceful lake Pichola, there stands this graciously sprawling Palace. The museum is brimming with over a hundred elaborately decorated rooms. The walls are ornamented with breathtaking murals and paintings that belonged to the Mewar period. The most spectacular spot is the queen’s chamber, where two peacocks crafted out of glasses and mirrors garner the utmost attention. Apart from these displays, every evening Dharohar dance is performed to showcase the folk tradition of Rajasthan. Entry Fee: Rs.100/person Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Victoria Memorial, the magnificent monument carved out of marbles, is a mesmerising place for history enthusiasts to explore the colonial history of India under British rule. The museum was built to honor the queen Victoria, the empress of British India. This architectural beauty is a blend of Mughal and British along with Deccani, Persian and Islamic elements. The edifice built against the emerald green lawns, housing 25 galleries with over 28, 000 artifacts, was inspired by the ever-magnificent Taj Mahal. Entry Fee: Rs.20/person

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Culture & Heritage Lifestyle
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Kalaripayattu to Thang-ta: Ancient Martial Arts That Reflect India’s Diverse Culture

0 India, a vibrant country with ethnic and cultural diversity, is an abode of ancient martial arts that are timelessly practised and recognised even today. These graceful martial art movements were once fierce fighting techniques employed in the battlefields. But today, they’re practicing for self defence as well as to acquire physical fitness. From Kalaripayattu to Thang-ta, here are a few ancient martial arts that pave the way for mental, physical and spiritual journey to empower and discover oneself.  Kalaripayattu  Kalaripayattu, the mother of martial arts, is the oldest martial art of India that stemmed from Kerala in the 3rd century. It was founded by Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu,  to protect Kerala from evils. This martial art flourished in the 11th century but was unfortunately met with a ban under British rule. Despite the test of time, Kalaripayattu was later revived and is timelessly practiced even today as a performance art to entertain tourists. Silambam  Silambam or silambattam, another south Indian martial art that originated in Tamil Nadu, has been around for over 5000 years.  It was introduced by the sage Agastya Munivar. Just like other ancient martial arts, Silambam was employed as a sophisticated fighting technique in battlefields. This martial art was employed in a war against British colonialism but was briefly met with a ban. Today Silambam has garnered attention as a performance art as well as an activity that showers a plethora of mental and physical benefits.  Gatka Gatka, a blend of sword fighting and acrobatics, is a martial art employed and practiced by Sikhs for thousands of years. This Punjabi martial art was put forward by Guru Hargobind. Gatka was practised to wage war against the Mughal during the 17th century, and was later considered a threat by the British to bury it with a ban. From fighting with sword to stick to barehanded, gatka has now emerged into a nationally recognised sport.  Thang-Ta Thang-ta also known as Huyen Lallong is an ancient Meitei martial art that is deeply rooted in their Cultural tradition. Thang-ta was ritualistic and carried out only at special occasions. During the mediaeval times, thang-ta was practised to war against enemies. Gurumayum Gourakishor Sharma is widely known as the Guru of this unique Meitei martial art. Today, this is practised for self defence and to boost one’s strength.

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Food
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1.39K

Idli Sambar to Hyderabadi Biryani: South Indian Food To Satisfy Your Cravings!

0 South Indian cuisines are the most flavourful cuisines covered with zesty spices, incredibly marked by the use of ingredients like coconut oil, curry leaves, chillies, black pepper, asafoetida and mustard. The scrumptious cuisines of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana- combinedly make South Indian Food. The moreish culinary diversity of South India is moulded by culture, region and religion. Here’s the list of some ficker-licking flavoursome cuisines to taste in South India. Idli Sambar  Idlis are healthy and fluffy, served mostly with tangy coconut chutney and soupy, spicy Sambar. This South Indian food is not only scrumptious but also comes with a heap of health benefits. As a breakfast, Idli Sambar is an incredibly filling food. This puffy rice cake is the beloved breakfast of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Kedli in Indonesia is slightly similar to the idlis of South Indians. Masala Dosa Masala dosa is a crispy, mouth-watering dosa stuffed with spicy potato masala. It’s often served with hot coconut chutney and spicy sambar. The flavourful fillings inside the dosa as well as the curries are different from one place to the other. Some dosas are thick while other dosas are brown and crispy. Masala dosa is another healthy, yummy breakfast to fill your hungry belly to the brim.   Hyderabadi Biryani Hyderabadi biryani has made Hyderabad “the biryani capital of India”. It’s the amalgamation of Mughal and Hyderabad cuisines. This popular biriyani was introduced by Mughals during their invasion of Hyderabad. This cuisine stands out for its unique style of cooking where the meat is marinated in yogurt and spices, and later cooked with the basmati rice over low heat. Allowing the rice to absorb all the flavours and spices, making it the most mouth-watering biryani to have for lunch. Puttu and Kadala Curry Puttu soaked in kadala curry, the beloved breakfast of Malayalis, is another delicious South Indian food to satisfy your taste buds. Puttu is slightly sweet while the kadala curry is spicy, balancing the flavor with a heavenly blend. This food is not only delicious but also nutritious, mostly consumed as a breakfast staple by laborers and farmers. Putu is made in a cylindrical container by layering rice flour with grated coconut. 

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Culture & Heritage
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Tughlaqabad to Rabdentse: Explore The Lesser-known Historical Places In India

0 India is a spellbinding country overflowing with timeless wonders and treasures. From breathtaking monuments to ruins, there are many archaeological and architectural beauties that date back centuries ago to satisfy your wanderlust. So if you’re excited to explore the hidden gems, here’s the list of uniquely enticing historical sites beyond Tajmahal. Tughlaqabad, New Delhi Tughlaqabad in Delhi is a ruined architectural marvel covered with massive stone palaces, high walls, gateways, citadels, an artificial lake and a mausoleum. This magnificent Fortress was built by the founder of the Tughlaq Dynasty, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq or Ghazi Malik, and this abandoned ruin was believed to be haunted by the curse of Nizamuddin Auliya. Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan  Kumbhalgarh nestled in the Rajsamand of Rajasthan is a mind-blowing historic site filled with marvelous monuments, palaces and chhatris. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary surrounding the Kumbhalgarh Fort is an abode of endangered species. The wall of this oldest fort has garnered the title of “Second longest wall in the world” after the Great Wall of China.  Unakoti, Tripura Unakoti, also known as Angkor Wat of the North-East, is a spellbinding place with sculptural beauty.  From magnificent rock carvings to murals, Unakoti spills spiritual vibes. In Hindu mythology, this was the place where Lord Shiva took rest on his way to Kashi along with around 99,999,99 gods and goddesses who were later cursed into stones by Shiva because they failed to wake up before sunrise. Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh This heritage showcases the marvel of rock-cut architecture. These caves were believed to have been carved between the 4th and 5th centuries, and they’re also believed to have evolved through Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. The most spectacular sight to witness here is the long statue of God Vishnu carved out of granite.  Bada Bagh, Rajasthan  Bada Bagh, located in the Jaisalmer city of Rajasthan, is a hidden gem brimming with forlorn cenotaphs or chhatris. The sand domes are empty tombs built by the Bhatti rulers to keep them as remnants. This place set amidst the desert is surprising with the touch of green including the mango trees.  Rabdentse, Sikkim Rabdentse is a historically rich site brimming with the ruins of Buddhist pilgrimages. This place not only serves as a historical marvel, but also stands out as a mesmerizing landscape suitable for leisurely strolling. Rabdentse was once the glorious capital of the kingdom of Sikkim before the brutal invasion of the Gurkha army.

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