Latest news with #SamudraManthan
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Your Office Needs a Kamdhenu Cow's Idol - But Only if You Follow These Vastu Tips
Manifested during Samudra Manthan, Kamdhenu is a divine wish-fulfilling cow. It is a symbol of prosperity, fortune, and abundance. Keeping it in your office can multiply your chances of success and attract achievements. But to gain the maximum benefits, it's important to follow certain Vastu do's and don'ts when placing a Kamdhenu idol in office. Scroll down to know more. Do's of placing the Kamdhenu Cow idol in the office, as per Vastu: The ideal direction to keep the idol : According to Vastu Shastra, the god of wealth, 'Lord Kubera,' resides in the northeast direction. It is also a home to positive energies. Hence, the best direction to keep the Kamdhenu cow's idol is here. Face the idol in an auspicious direction: Ensure the cow faces inward, not towards the main door. This symbolizes wealth entering and staying at your place. Also, ensure it is facing the east direction. Keep the space clutter-free: A disorganized space can create obstacles in the energy flow and invite negativity. Hence, always make sure to keep the idol in a clean and tidy environment. Clean the Kamdhenu idol with a soft cloth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O pereche de pantofi pe care orice bărbat o va iubi Cumpără acum Undo You can occasionally sprinkle Ganga jal (holy water) to purify it. Don'ts of keeping Kamdhenu Cow Idol in Office, as per Vastu: Don't keep the idol in drawers or behind closed doors Treat the idol like a deity, not a decor. Storing the idol inside a drawer, locker, or behind closed cabinet doors can block its energy and limit the flow of abundance. Avoid placing it near the bathroom The bathroom is considered a source of negative or impure energy in Vastu. Placing a Kamdhenu idol near or facing a washroom can create energetic imbalances in your workplace. Avoid using broken or chipped idols A broken Kamdhenu idol can attract setbacks rather than blessings. If the idol is damaged, it's best to replace it with a new one. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Mint
27-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Trump shock: Here's a 4-D formula for policymakers to track it
The churn in the international economic system since Donald Trump became US president for a second time has fanned uncertainty for companies, investors and governments. As with the famous story from Indian mythology, the Samudra Manthan, in which the churning of the ocean generates nectar as well as poison, the ongoing episode will likely have good as well as bad consequences. This column is a tentative attempt to list out four changes that are likely to cast a shadow on Indian economic policy in the years ahead. Each change alliteratively begins with the same letter: Diversification, defence, debt and the dollar. Also Read: Trump's trade agenda: About US jobs or global supremacy? Diversification: There are several ways in which one can think of how countries will try to diversify their economic structures amid geopolitical uncertainty. Such rebalancing could be through bolstering the share of manufacturing, depending more on domestic demand, increasing domestic savings and restricting trade within regional economic zones. One type of diversification could be in terms of how national income is distributed between profits and wages. In a more protectionist world, in which countries become more dependent on domestic demand, local consumer spending will have to be backed with a higher share of wages in the national income, especially if strong domestic demand for consumer goods is not to come at the cost of household savings. This is an issue that will resonate in India as well. More broadly, such vintage issues of macroeconomic strategy may get a new lease of life in our unsettled times. Also Read: Ajit Ranade: Decode Trump's trade strategy for India's own game plan Defence: The world is becoming a more dangerous place. In 2024, global military spending increased in real terms at the fastest rate since the end of the Cold War, led by Europe and West Asia. India may also need to increase its military budget. In a recent article, retired lieutenant general H.S. Panag, after complimenting the Indian armed forces for what he described as their finest hour since 1971, called for a doubling of India's defence budget to 4% of gross domestic product (GDP). How this can be done while maintaining overall fiscal stability is a tricky question. A few years ago, the government had sought to examine whether a separate permanent defence fund could be carved out of tax revenues, but that was rejected as being outside our federal constitutional design. Allocating another two percentage points of GDP can come either through cuts in other types of spending or higher taxes, at a time when a new Pay Commission will push up government salaries. Also Read: The US bond market: Getting 'yippy' again? Debt: After a long hiatus, bond markets are once again threatening action against countries that have very high levels of public debt. Even countries such as Japan and the US have not been spared in recent weeks. 'The pre-pandemic era, when too much savings chased too few bonds, is over. Governments everywhere must pay up, and big budget deficits are more dangerous," economics writer Greg Ip said in a recent article. India is somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as the ratio of public debt to GDP goes, and International Monetary Fund projections suggest that it will be one of the few major economies in the world that will bring down its public debt ratio—albeit only marginally—between 2024 and 2030. India has the added advantage that most of its government debt is held by domestic investors. Even though public debt dynamics do not look too worrisome for India on a consolidated basis—though a few states seem to be inching towards a fiscal cliff —the financing of debt may get tougher on a global basis. Also Read: Barry Eichengreen: The sterling's past may offer clues to the dollar's future Dollar: The US currency has been the pivot of the global financial system. It was so by design in the new international monetary order that emerged after the Bretton Woods conference in 1944. The system worked well till the US dollar came under stress because of its huge spending on the Vietnam War. The system fell apart in two acts—first when US president Richard Nixon ended the convertibility of the currency into gold in 1971 and then when fixed exchange rates were replaced by flexible exchange rates in 1973. The US dollar continued to be the global reserve currency even after 1973. Economists around Trump seem to believe that this has imposed costs on the US economy as global demand for US assets has led to currency overvaluation, hurting the competitiveness of US firms. Also Read: Dani Rodrik: Mercantilism isn't always bad but Trump's trade policy is Concerns about the sustainability of US public finances is another important factor. If the US dollar is toppled from its perch as the global reserve currency—either by government policy or by market behaviour—then it will have an impact on every open economy that uses the US dollar as its main currency for international trade, whose central bank holds its reserves primarily in US dollar assets and whose exchange rate is maintained in some fixed or crawling leg to the US currency. India is one of those countries. How matters move in terms of these four Ds—diversification, defence, debt and the dollar—can be a useful way to track the impact of the Trump shock on the Indian economy over the medium term and can influence economic policy choices as well. The author is executive director at Artha India Research Advisors.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
FairPoint: Pak, spies and Rahul -- Operation Sindoor churns out the truth about them
There can be no better analogy than the 'Samudra Manthan' to describe India's Operation Sindoor against terror-promoting Pakistan. Samudra Manthan, a significant event in Sanatan Dharma, refers to the churning of the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality. It symbolises a cosmic struggle between good and evil, ultimately won by the righteous. Just as the mythological Manthan yielded nectar for the virtuous, Operation Sindoor has unearthed truths that are proving to be eye-opening not only for the world but also for the nation. It has exposed Pakistan's duplicity regarding terrorism and unmasked individuals working against India's security and interests. While Pakistan is being held accountable for fostering terrorism in India, hidden operatives -- all Indian citizens -- are being exposed one by one. These individuals have been covertly working for Pakistan, discreetly passing on sensitive information. Then there are also those on the political spectrum who have made statements that seem to be aimed at undermining India's anti-terror actions. Operation Sindoor, an unprecedented action, has indeed produced mind-boggling results. It has unmasked individuals within India who were gnawing at the nation's security framework. Around 15 men and women have been arrested for spying for the neighbouring country. These include a YouTuber, a security guard, a businessman, an app developer, students, and even ordinary people. All they needed was a mobile phone -- to shoot and transmit pictures, data, or any other information related to defence establishments, religious sites, railways, airports, tourist spots, or even random locations. For most of them, money was the primary motivation. In some cases, honey traps were employed, but the demand was always for real-time and archived information. These accused individuals were recruited into the spy network through various methods: social media, monetary incentives, false promises, messaging apps, and even personal visits to Pakistan. Most of these spies fall within the 20-40 age group, and several were being groomed as long-term assets. This is evident in the case of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra from Hisar, Haryana, who has 3.85 lakh YouTube subscribers and has travelled to several countries, including Pakistan and China. Earlier this year, she visited Pahalgam in Kashmir, where she recorded several videos. Her case underscores how Pakistan is leveraging social media influencers for espionage against India. Since Operation Sindoor began, almost daily, a new face has been unmasked -- people who would otherwise have gone undetected. While Operation Sindoor has exposed spies, it has also revealed peculiar behaviour from some in the political arena. Even as the operation continues, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been persistently attacking the government, raising questions such as how many Indian aircraft were shot down. He has criticised the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan and questioned who sought mediation. Not stopping there, Gandhi has also claimed that New Delhi's foreign policy has collapsed, even as all-party delegations are touring 33 countries to present India's case that Pakistan sponsors terrorism. He even referred to Pakistan's shelling in Jammu and Kashmir as a "tragedy" rather than calling it an act of terror. Following his lead, other Congress leaders have made statements that have earned praise from Pakistan. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge described Operation Sindoor as a "chutput yudh (small war)". These statements have been widely circulated by Pakistani media and used by its establishment to attack India on international platforms. Why Rahul Gandhi would make such statements while the nation is engaged in counter-terror operations is puzzling. While scrutiny is essential in a democracy, timing and intent are what matter most. Operation Sindoor, a successful military operation launched on May 7 to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeted nine terror bases in Pakistan and was carried out jointly by India's tri-services. It demonstrated India's military prowess and Pakistan's continued support for terrorism. The precision strikes hit only terror bases, avoiding civilian and military targets, underscoring India's strategic intent and capabilities. However, Pakistan retaliated with a sinister move, launching swarms of drones into Indian territory and shelling residential areas in Jammu and Kashmir. On May 10, in retaliation, India destroyed 11 Pakistani airbases, shocking its army and government. Reports suggest that even some of Pakistan's nuclear facilities were damaged in these airstrikes. Facing massive destruction, Pakistan swiftly pleaded for a ceasefire. This operation has instilled newfound confidence in India's people and stunned the world. Pakistan's complicity in terrorism is totally exposed today. It has been shown that it is on the side of terrorism. From attending the funeral rites of terrorists and giving them state honours, the establishment in Pakistan has, for the first time, exhibited its deep terror network. Operation Sindoor has forced Pakistan to show its true colours -- to reveal its intent to nurture terrorist factories and spread extremism not only in India but across the globe. Just as the mythological Samudra Manthan led to a momentous gain, so too has this Operation Sindoor -- unveiling truths, some bitter and some overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
If You Perform These Remedies, Rahu Will Become Peaceful and Start Giving Positive Results, No Matter How Adverse Its Period May Be
In astrology, Rahu is considered a shadow planet. It does not have a physical existence, yet its influence on a person's life is profound and mysterious. According to Celebrity Astrologer Parduman Suri, most people often consider Rahu to be a "malefic" planet, but that is not entirely true. Certainly, Rahu represents unexpected events, illusions, greed, delusion, and sudden changes. Due to Rahu's mysterious, intense, and swift nature, it can elevate an ordinary person to the status of a king. Therefore, even if Rahu is placed in an inauspicious house in a person's horoscope, with some simple remedies, its effects can be turned positive. Rahu's influence can lead a person to make poor decisions, which may result in a wealthy individual losing everything in a short time. If Rahu is situated in malefic houses (like the 6th, 8th, or 12th) or is active during a difficult dasha/antardasha, it can cause sudden accidents, severe health issues, or legal problems. Rahu in a negative position may also draw a person towards addiction, gambling, or illegal activities, which can harm their social reputation. However, when Rahu is placed in a trine (5th or 9th house) or a kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house), and is conjunct with or aspected by benefic planets, the person may suddenly earn wealth abroad, achieve unexpected success with little struggle when switching jobs or starting a business. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 무릎통증.. NO수술 / NO입원 '단 1회 주사치료' 가능하다 무릎치료 30년 - 장덕한방병원 서초본원(서울,강남) 더 알아보기 Undo Rahu supports people in fields involving the internet, occult sciences, modern technology, metals, and research. It also brings fame and recognition in society. To Receive Rahu's Blessings, Do the Following * Avoid bringing blue or black-colored clothes and objects into the house. * Recite Hanuman Chalisa regularly for Rahu's peace. * If Kaal Sarp Dosh is present with Rahu playing a major role, perform a special ritual. * Donate black sesame seeds, mustard oil, and blue flowers on Saturdays. * Stay under the guidance of a truthful mentor or guru to avoid confusion. * If involved in a court case, circumambulate a peepal tree seven times before going to court on the hearing date. * Donate mustard oil, black sesame seeds, and blankets to the needy. * Chant the mantra 'Om Ram Rahave Namah' 108 times. The Legend of Rahu Rahu's original name is Swarbhanu. According to Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of nectar (amrit). Lord Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, began distributing the nectar to the gods. Swarbhanu disguised himself as a god and sat in their line, managing to take a Search Reason Deep research Written By: Celebrity Astrologer Parduman Suri..!! Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
What Quick (De)Escalation Between India-Pak Teaches Us About War And Peace
The wanton public wants war one moment and peace the next. The state ought to eschew the urge to base its decisions on this wantonness. From certitudes to canards, the war de-escalated quite fast. While it's never a bad thing for two nuclear-armed countries to cool their tempers down, the manner in which this has happened in the case of India and Pakistan has sown more seeds of conflict than it aimed to resolve. Nothing is resolved. What has come to the surface during the eighteen days of fear and foreboding, just like the mythological Samudra Manthan lasting for twelve days, is the elixir of unity and the poison of preposterousness. Both, however, were contained in the vessel of wantonness. Sample this: people cried for retribution when there was silence. When retribution was being carried out, people cried that it was too much. When retaliation to the same retribution was served, people got jittery with fear. Many who had previously advocated for war suddenly became peaceniks, creating a paradoxical parody of peaceniks turning into warmongers. Confusion Reigns Suddenly, nobody knew what they stood for anymore. The 'fog of war' confused everyone. If Pakistan has been waging war to 'liberate' Kashmir, why was it killing Kashmiris with relentless shelling across the Line of Control? If Indian Muslims were 'traitors', why were they out in full support of the armed forces? Why was the media in both India and Pakistan peddling outlandish information with zero evidence to back their respective claims? Whose side was the US on? Why did the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sanction another tranche of loans to Pakistan in the middle of the conflict? What to make of China's official statements? And, finally, why did the President of the United States announce the ceasefire instead of either party embroiled in the conflict? We found unity in this confusion. Despite the above confusion and more, one good outcome of this India-Pakistan conflict was the lifting of the theoretical 'fog of war' from the posturing of several ideas and ideologues. The primary one is that no deterrence works till an outmatching of the enemy happens at every stage of the so-called 'escalation ladder'. The rules of engagement need to be redefined towards those very goals, rather than an endgame that may never even happen. War Meets Blind Rage Another thing that is becoming visible is that liberalism is contingent only on who or what is in question. Collaborationism will always trump ethics. Intellectual neutrality and evenhandedness, therefore, are nothing but hollow buzzwords. Less importantly, with the lifting fog, the idea that some chosen few are immune to the blind rage of the ill-informed public ought to be junked. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, once celebrated by all and sundry for his measured, calm and sensible speak, found himself at the receiving end of the Frankenstein's monster of social media trolling. It did not take a wanton people even a day to turn towards their own when engaging the 'other', the enemy, ceased to be an option. As the world celebrates the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the need for equanimity cannot be underscored enough. When passions rule and reason takes a backseat, every Karma becomes a parody of itself. At the level of decision-making, equanimity enables the drawing of the most effective plans. Those who execute them need equanimity to accept losses and gains in the course of action. For the onlookers, equanimity is a gift that they can give to the previous two. In the India-Pakistan conflict, only the armed forces have been able to keep their equanimous posture intact. The wantonness of the public discourse has not been able to upend that. What, Really, After War? Wars come with a price that most people want somebody else to pay. A serving senior naval officer recently commented, "People get upset when their access to Netflix gets disrupted for a few hours. Do you think they can stomach the discipline that comes with a prolonged war?" A decisive war comes with an even bigger price tag. And even then, it's not the gift that will keep giving. Peace after war is a chimaera. Just like happiness is not an absence of unhappiness, peace is not an absence of war. Peace is the integration of human society on acceptable terms. This integration cannot occur if passions prevail at any level of nation-building. Of late, the idea of nation-building has given way to a narrow definition of nationalism: one that is not only based on bellicism but also exclusions of own populations. The resulting bellicosity destroys rather than builds. If there are lessons to be drawn here, one need not look further than the official press briefings. Sans jingoism, the message was clear: we do what is required of us, no less, no more. The wanton public wants war one moment and peace the next. The state ought to eschew the urge to base its decisions on this wantonness. (Nishtha Gautam is a Delhi-based academic and author) Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author Share Sign up to read this article FREE! Exclusive Stories: Dive into content reserved just for members. Fewer Ads: A cleaner, more enjoyable reading experience. Enhanced Interface: Tailored just for you. Join Now – It's Free!
