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Becoming Who You Really Are

Becoming Who You Really Are

Yad bhavam tad bhavati (as you think, so you become) is a famous verse from the Upanisads. It is so simple, yet so profound. Can we actually become whatever we think and believe, or is it about thinking right, so we become what we actually are? This could be true both ways, because we naturally want to think the best about ourselves, and in truth, we are indeed the best of the best.
'Aham brahmasmi' (I am Divine) is the declaration of Indian spirituality. Can there be a better affirmation than this to indicate how glorious, pure and powerful our existence is? Sri Adi Shankaracharya says in the Nirvana Shatkam—cidananda rupah sivoham sivoham, which means, 'I am the Blissful Consciousness, I am Divine.'
By staying in this awareness of divinity constantly, we would become divine. This is the only worthy manifestation that we must aspire for.
The Cub and the Sheep Blooper
There is this famous blooper of the cub and the sheep, which is a tale of truth with a funny twist. A small cub got lost in a herd of sheep and grew up believing that it was also a sheep. It would eat grass and bleat like a sheep, and thus it became one among the herd of sheep. One day, a lion came into their territory, and all the sheep bleated in fear. They started running hither and thither out of fear for their lives. This was when the lion noticed that a cub was living with the sheep. He was shocked, and so he caught the cub and asked him, 'What are you doing in this herd of sheep?' The lion cub replied with confidence, 'I am a sheep; I have been leading my life with my fellow sheep. I can bleat and I can eat grass.' The lion roared, 'No, you are not a sheep, you are a lion.' But the cub couldn't believe this.
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Restoring balance: 131 turtles thriving in Hajo temple pond to enter the wild
Restoring balance: 131 turtles thriving in Hajo temple pond to enter the wild

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

Restoring balance: 131 turtles thriving in Hajo temple pond to enter the wild

1 2 Guwahati: Temples have emerged as an unexpected safe haven for turtles, turning into conservation hotspots. However, experts warn that this trend is creating an imbalance, as turtles are incredibly rare to be seen in their natural habitats. To restore balance, Assam state zoo has planned to release several critically endangered turtle species into the wild. The state zoo is working in tandem with authorities of Hayagriva Madhava temple, located in the town of Hajo in Kamrup district, 30 kms from Guwahati. Temple authority has handed over 131 turtles, which were growing in the temple's pond, to zoo authorities. Ashwini Kumar, state zoo DFO said the turtles are currently in quarantine, and will be released into the wild after 15 days. "We are monitoring the turtles to ensure that they are healthy, and we will be releasing them," the officer added. Kumar said the 131 turtles to be released include black softshell turtles, Indian softshell turtles, peacock softshell turtles and Indian tent turtles. The black softshell turtles are endemic to the Brahmaputra basin, and are listed as 'critically endangered' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list. Meanwhile, the Indian softshell turtles and the peacock softshells turtles are listed as vulnerable in the list. Pranab Malakar, a resident of Hajo, who is also known as the turtle man said turtles are more commonly found near wetlands, instead of temple ponds, as it disturbs their natural balance and survival. He added that the turtles often face overcrowding, lack of food and poor water quality, which can spread disease. Malakar, who has been engaged in turtle conservation since 2007, recalls that the historic Madhava Pukhuri pond dates back to the Ahom era. Originally built under the reign of the Ahom kings, the pond featured natural sandbars and a rich aquatic environment, which made it a perfect habitat for turtles to thrive. "Being part of a Vishnu temple, it became customary for devotees to release fish and turtles into its waters, considering them as reincarnations of lord Vishnu. Over time, this age-old religious practice turned the pond into a refuge for turtles," Malakar said. He added that in 2006, the pond was encircled with concrete boundaries, which made it nearly impossible for turtles to nest and lay eggs. To address this, Malakar himself intervened — removing sections of the boundary walls and creating artificial sandbars to provide suitable nesting grounds. Today the temple pond is home to more than 1,000 turtles of 15 different species. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

Largest tiger reserve in India; all you need to know
Largest tiger reserve in India; all you need to know

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

Largest tiger reserve in India; all you need to know

Did you know that Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), located across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is India's largest tiger reserve by area? Covering approximately 3,728 sq km, NSTR spans five districts: Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, and Khammam in Telangana, and Guntur and Prakasam in Andhra Pradesh. Its strategic location makes it accessible from Hyderabad (approximately 180 km) and other nearby cities, ideal for wildlife enthusiasts visiting the region. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1978, NSTR was officially recognized under Project Tiger in 1983 and later renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. This reserve has played a pivotal role in India's tiger conservation efforts, which began with Project Tiger in 1973 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot NSTR is a biodiversity hotspot, supporting a wide array of flora and fauna. Beyond its estimated 76 tigers, the reserve is home to leopards, sloth bears, Indian pangolins, wolves, and prey species like chinkara, blackbuck, spotted deer, and wild boar. The region also hosts over 150 bird species, and diverse reptiles and amphibians. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve supports around 76 tigers, making it a critical habitat for the Bengal tiger. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, prey population monitoring, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Best time to visit Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve The optimal time to visit NSTR is from October to June, when the weather is pleasant, and wildlife sightings are more likely, particularly near water bodies during summer (March–June). Monsoons (July–September) bring lush greenery but may limit access due to heavy rainfall. Winter months (October–March) offer a comfortable climate for safaris and exploring the reserve's scenic beauty. What to expect in Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve NSTR offers a range of activities, including jeep safaris, birdwatching, and nature trails, providing immersive experiences for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. The ancient Srisailam temple within the reserve adds a cultural dimension, attracting pilgrims and tourists. To avoid crowds, weekdays are recommended, and visitors must adhere to guidelines to minimize environmental impact. How to reach Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve NSTR is accessible from Hyderabad (180 km) and other nearby cities like Guntur and Kurnool, with good road connectivity. The nearest railway stations are in Markapur and Kurnool, and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the closest major airport. Visitors can reach the reserve via private vehicles or public transport, with guided tours available from nearby towns.

Boss refuses WFH amid Mumbai rains. Employee's two-word reply shuts him down
Boss refuses WFH amid Mumbai rains. Employee's two-word reply shuts him down

Time of India

time8 hours ago

  • Time of India

Boss refuses WFH amid Mumbai rains. Employee's two-word reply shuts him down

Internet reacts MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT When Mumbai floods, the city doesn't just drown in rainwater—it also floods the internet with viral stories. This time, it's not a pothole or a rescue boat making headlines but an office group chat. A Reddit user shared a screenshot where one employee, stuck in traffic during a red alert, delivered the most blunt two-word reply to her manager. The internet has since crowned her a "corporate baddie".According to the viral screenshot, the employee informed her office group, 'Hi all, stuck in traffic not able to reach the office.' Instead of understanding, the manager responded with, 'Let it be, late. But arrive..' The employee didn't bother with excuses or long justifications. Her reply? A curt but powerful: 'Not possible.'The Reddit post explained that while government offices were shut and many private companies offered WFH during the heavy rains, this particular office had no such policy. The co-worker, known for not tolerating nonsense, clearly wasn't going to risk her safety just to satisfy her boss's stubbornness. In the comment section, the Reddit user revealed that her co-worker was an Assistant Manager and explained her situation to the manager over a internet immediately rallied behind the employee, with many praising her courage and bluntness. Some even went as far as saluting her for standing up to the manager, while others dubbed her the ultimate corporate rebel who refused to bend under pressure. Many agreed that Indian managers often lack empathy, no matter which part of the country they come also shared their own workplace horror stories. One person recalled being stranded with a dead bike in heavy rain and facing a manager who flat-out denied work-from-home. Frustrated, he escalated the matter by sending video proof of the flooded streets to HR and the CEO. While he did get a temporary WFH arrangement, endless 'discussion calls' eventually pushed him to quit before appraisal person pointed out the hypocrisy of management. In his office, some employees braved the rain and made it to work, only for the manager to scold the rest for not doing the same. The irony? The manager was comfortably working from home, while the road leading to the office was overflowing with gutters.

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