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India Today
22-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Explore astrology as a timeless science of self-discovery rooted in Vedic heritage
Astrology is far more than a tool for future predictions, it is a timeless science of self-discovery and conscious living. Rooted in India's ancient Vedic heritage, astrology deciphers the celestial code that shapes our emotions, destiny, and decisions. According to Pt. Umesh Chandra Pant, a celebrated Vedic astrologer with over three decades of experience, astrology offers a unique bridge between the cosmic order and human experience. As explained in our veda:advertisement"Yath ikh mayr ngn ma ayo yathTadvad ved ga str jyoti a mukham ucyate Just as the crest is to the peacock and the gem to the serpent, so is astrology to the Vedas, foremost and More Than Just PredictionsAstrology is one of the six Vedangas-essential tools for understanding the Vedas. It helps align human actions with cosmic rhythms. As per the Upanishad:Yad deve u karma i pravartate tad sarva sukha bhavat i"When actions are aligned with divine forces, life becomes harmonious. Astrology offers a sacred lens through which one may understand their nature, challenges, and higher Chart: The Cosmic BlueprintThe Janam Kundli reflects one's karmic makeup and destiny. The planetary placements at birth reveal hidden patterns of emotional, material, and spiritual tendencies. As noted in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra:advertisementJanma-k le grah sarve yat sthit tanu-de ikTe sarve janma-phalad sarva-v tti-prak akThe planetary positions at the time of birth reflect every aspect of a person's nature, fate, and life Matters: Dashas and TransitsKaal (time) is the force behind the unfolding of karma. Astrology tracks this through dashas and planetary transits (gochar), revealing when blessings or challenges may arise. From the Purana:Yath k la tath karma phala bhavati dehin mAs time changes, so does the result of one's karma. Through the Dasha system and transit tracking, astrology helps one act at the right Through Remedies and RitualsAstrology doesn't merely describe fate, it also prescribes spiritually empowered remedies to align with positive cosmic forces. As described in Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra:Grah m nti-k ry rtha japa-d na-tapa-kriyChanting, charity, and austerities are prescribed for pacifying planetary afflictions. These include mantra chanting, wearing specific gemstones, fasting, donations, and pujas tailored to one's for Personal and Spiritual GrowthAstrology ultimately leads one toward self-realization and liberation (moksha). It helps understand the soul's karmic debt and the purpose of its journey. According to the classic text Saravali:Jyoti a stram etat tu mok a-sdhana-hetukamAstrology is a sacred science that facilitates liberation. Through inner awareness, guided timing, and karmic insight, one is empowered to live a conscious, balanced, and dharmic Watch
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
A WW-II air raid shelter in Hyderabad that is now a library
It is a library with a difference. A large cool airy room for students and children preparing for competitive exams to sit down and read through the day. The difference lies beneath it in the bunker which is the genesis of Bharat Gunavardhak Sanstha library in Shalibanda. 'It was built as an air raid shelter before the outbreak of hostilities during the Second World War. After the war, my father Rai Mahbub Narayan went around asking his friends who were leaving for Pakistant to leave the books with him. Every Hyderabadi had at that time had a library. Within no time, my father collected 50,000 books,' informs Oudesh Rani Bawa who grew up in Gowliguda area near Shahalibanda. This collection of books led to the creation of a group of people who pooled their ideas and resources. 'The library was named Bharat Gunavardhak Sanstha by polyglot scholar Gunde Rao Harkare. Mr. Harkare retired as a session judge of Wanaparthy and donated a copy of Sirr-e-Akbar, that is a translation of Upanishad from Sanskrit to Persian. As it was a priceless manuscript it was sent to Khuda Baksh Oriental Library in Patna,' informs Ms. Oudesh. Engineer Malliah executed the project which was a two-storey structure on top of the bunker without taking any remuneration on a 471 square yard plot taken on a 100 year lease. It had two rooms for scholars, one room for a watchman, a stock room and a reading room. Now, the air raid bunker has been turned into a storage room for chairs and tables. 'We don't have the stuff to run a separate newspaper section. The sanctioned staff strength is 14 but we have only two staffers,' informed an official of the library. The dusty room with rows of chairs remains locked up. But it is a better fate than most other air raid shelters in Hyderabad that were built around that time. 'The air raid shelter in the Bella Vista (Administrative Staff College of India) is still intact, as is the one in the premises of College of Community Science where it is camouflaged by a lone palm tree,' informs Anuradha Reddy of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. In 1941, while the war in Europe was raging, there was a threat perception about India's eastern coast. This led to the Nizam's Public Works Department stepping in and building Air Raid Protection Shelters for the nobility. Five of them were built — one at the King Kothi Palace, another at Bella Vista, another one Hill Fort Palace, the residence of Nawab Basalat Jah Bahadur and one more at the security chamber at King Kothi Palace for Nizam Osman Ali Khan. While the Bella Vista air raid shelter has survived, the fate of others is not known. Other noblemen also built air raid shelters for their own safety, including Salar Jung III. 'It was there till early 60s and was to the right side of the entrance to the palace complex,' informs Ms. Oudesh. Nothing remains of it. One more air-raid bunker was built by Nasir Nawaz Jung of the Vicar-ul-Umra family on top of the Jubilee Hills property. 'It is still there and is a shelter for roosting bats. We don't try to enter that area,' says Raunaq Yar Jung, a descendant of Nasir Jung.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Time of India
Former superintendent at Mundra port gets 5 years in jail in DA case
Ahmedabad: A special CBI court here on Monday sentenced a former superintendent at the development commissioner's office in Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) in Mundra, Kutch, to five years in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 80 lakh on him after it was proved that he amassed wealth illegally. According to case details, the former officer, Pankaj Raval, and his wife, Kiran Raval, were charged with having disproportionate assets (DA) worth Rs 45 lakh compared to their known sources of income in 2015. This was for a period of six years (2009-2015). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe found that the couple purchased a large amount of jewellery and accumulated other assets during the check period of 2009-2015. The assets acquired were pegged at 153% more than the legitimate income source. The CBI filed a chargesheet against Raval and his wife, who passed away during the pendency of the trial, and therefore her name was removed from the proceedings, the CBI said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo The CBI examined 35 witnesses and relied on 101 documents in support of the charges against Raval. After the trial, the special judge at the city sessions court, D G Rana, offered a word of advice when he quoted from the Upanishad, "Ishavasyam Edam Sarvam Yatkinch Jagtyam Jagat Ten Tyakten Bhunjeetha Ma Grudhah Kashyashvid Dhanam" (All this here is permeated by Brahman, i.e., The Supreme Soul, Whatever there is in this world. Enjoy things by renunciation. Do not covet wealth as it belongs to no one.) The court order stated, "Justice demands punishments that express public abhorrence of the crime, demonstrating society's strong disapproval for such public servants who amass wealth by illegal means abusing power or position." The court further said, "Considering the gravity of the offence, this court is mindful of the fact that the accused was engaged in official work as an appraiser at the development commissioner's office, APSEZ Mundra. His job profile is such that even minor deviations may result in a huge loss to the govt exchequer."
