CULTURAL QA 12202327
Q1 What is the funniest joke you've been told that you still think
about to this day?
KR Apart from joke, this isa serous matter. Bhaskara II in Leelavati
measured many heights, by Pythagoras triangle, by measuring the ground
shadows caused by the height, against the SUN, and base length, considering
the pole as Triangle. 2 Pathani Samanta[a] better known as
Mahamahopadhyaya Chandrasekhara Singha Harichandana Mahapatra Samanta[b],
was an Indian astronomer, mathematician and scholar who measured the
distance from the Earth to the Sun with a bamboo pipe, and traditional
instruments. He was born on 13 December 1835 and died on 11 June 1904. His
book SIDDANTHA DARPANA contains the methods of poles and heights.
Q4 What are some of the interesting facts about India?
1. Varanasi is the oldest and continually inhabited city in the world
KR Important trade routes of Vārāṇasī
The same was true about the Kāśī-Vārāṇasī zone. Vārāṇasī too in the ancient
times was the focal centre of the whole cultural zone as in modern times.
It was too connected to a number of important routes and played a vital
role as an important point and mediator of the route and in a way is
profited by this large-scale long-distance trade.
Important routes touching Vārāṇasī were
>From Pāṭaliputra to Lumbini,
Vārāṇasī to Sasaram,
Vārāṇasī to the Vindhyan scarp i.e. from Gaṅgā valley to the Deccan,
Vārāṇasī to Surguja through Robertsganj,
route from Deccan passing through Surguja, Vārāṇasī and reaching Ayodhya
and beyond.
In this region we notice numerous sites belonging to different time
categories. Some even had Neolithic or Mesolithic beginnings. Settlements
grew in number and size in the successive periods while some even had a
consistent occupation from earliest to historic times. There were many BRW
(black-red wares)/ BSW (black sand wares/ NBPW( northern black polished
wares) sites covering the whole region. Loriya-ka-tila, Basantpura,
Karnai, Bhunadih, Ekail, Pakka Kot, Tika Deori, Waina, Khairadih,
Nahush-ka-tila, Masaon-dih, Bairant, Bhuili, Nal-ka-tila were a few to
mention. Among them Pakka Kot, Khairadih, Nahush-ka-tila, Masaon-dih and
Bairant were fortified sites and some other sites like Loriya-ka-tila, Tika
Deori, Waina, Raja-Bhar-ka-tila were given an urban status for their
comparative bigger sizes. Bairant is located at only 20 km distance to the
south-east of Vārāṇasī on the other side of the Gaṅgā, along a dried up
river channel. Size wise it is almost equal to Vārāṇasī. In this Bairant
sector there is a concentration of sites, suggesting a population density.
So Bairant had the potential to grow as an urban centre but was shadowed by
Vārāṇasī which held the supreme position in this whole area. Sites like
Bairant rather served Vārāṇasī in various ways, particularly those along
the rivers as important points in the trade routes connecting Vārāṇasī to
other places. Johuragunj and Prahladpur are two such settlements on the
Gaṅgā. Tikadeori and Lakhnesardih were sites on Chhoti Sarayu and Pakka Kot
was another ferry point.
The Pāṭaliputra-Lumbini route emanating from Pāṭaliputra touched many
points on the way and Vārāṇasī surely played a very important role in this
trade. After Pāṭaliputra the next halt must had been Masarh. Its importance
may be gleaned from the presence of an Aśokan pillar. Little before Buxar
there is a major ferry point and in all probability Pakka Kot seemed to be
this point. In this zone Tika Deori and Lakhnesardih were supporting sites
of Pakkakot. Hence this portion seems to be very important. After crossing
Ghagra, Khairadih is another important station of the route. Ayodhya,
Sohgaura, Kopia and finally Bansi near Lumbini with an Aśokan pillar
complete the route. In this route other than important independent cities
like Pāṭaliputra, Ayodhya and Lumbini other points were medium to large
sites with limited urban traits. They held a subordinate position to
Pāṭaliputra or Vārāṇasī. The route connecting Vārāṇasī to Sasaram largely
came into use in the Maurya times because Aśokan edicts were found at
Sasaram and Ahraura. From Vārāṇasī, Ahraura can be reached very easily. The
Sasaram-Ahraura alignment is very important because it directly links
Vārāṇasī to Karmanasa and beyond.
Bypassing Vārāṇasī one can also reach Central India and Deccan through
this Sasaram-Ahraura alignment. This constitutes a very important juncture
in the north and south bound traffic. Moreover in this alignment there is a
concentration of BRW sites. It is an extension of the site Senuwar area
along the alignment. Next is the route running from Vārāṇasī to Malwa and
then the Deccan. The area around Mirzapur is a main crossing in this route.
Both ancient and modern routes were the same up to Lalgunj. The old route
passed through Halia on the Adwa nala bank. Here small villages served as
halts for the merchants who travelled along this route. Robertsgunj may be
approached very easily from Lalgunj. From this sector a number of smaller
and minor routes toward the Son valley come out. Therefore this segment no
doubt formed a very important satellite zone for ancient Vārāṇasī for
serving as a junction and halting place for long distance trade. Routes
towards the Son Valley are connected to the main route by Vārāṇasī and
Surguja and beyond via Ahraura and Robertsgunj. Even presently Ahraura Road
railway is located on the Ahraura-Banaras road.
In ancient times Vārāṇasī used to be the destination and final stop
of this trade. The Robertsganj area is irrigated by two rivers the Belan
flows through it and the Karmanasa flows in its eastern side which also
marks the boundary between Magadha and Kāśī. Therefore this area is a
fertile plain serving as an agricultural hinterland for Vārāṇasī. Perhaps
for this reason a large number of BRW and later sites sprang up in this
region. Robertsganj may also be approached by Chakia, to the east of
Ahraura. Nal-ka-tila, one such BRW site is located on Chakia side. It
provided a shortcut to the Son valley and Surguja from Sasaram and bypassed
the Ahraura line. It is notable that location of a BRW layer and growth of
settlement cluster served Vārāṇasī -Mirzapur sector in different ways and
connected this sector to different places of Magadha and even provided an
easy access beyond the Vindhyas and the Deccan. In this sense Robertsganj
area served both Vārāṇasī and Rājagṛha-Pāṭaliputra as satellite settlement
under them. In case of the Deccan route from Vārāṇasī to Surguja, the broad
alignment of crossing of the route from Vārāṇasī to Surguja is located near
the Malaviya bridge over the river. Between Ramnagar and Mirzapur the last
traces of the Vindhya-Kaimur ranges may be seen at Chunar and Vindhyachal.
In this sequence of hills between Ramnagar and Mirzapur a number of routes
took turn towards Surguja and the Deccan. The most important ones were the
one Ramnagar to Surguja and the other Mirzapur to Rewa. Even in the first
branch there are some deviations.
All in all, in the Ramnagar-Mirzapur sector an elaborate network of
trade routes arose. This sector acted as the first recipient of the Gaṅgā
valley to receive huge traffic from Central India and the Deccan. Vārāṇasī
was the central node in this traffic. And it actually bestowed Vārāṇasī a
virtual monopoly over the Central Indian and Deccan trade. Secondly,
Vārāṇasī had an absolute mastery over the vast upland hinterland rich in
agricultural and forest produce of Central India. Mirzapur area was the
link between The Deccan and northern cities like Ayodhya, or Lumbini. It
means Vārāṇasī even managed the routes reaching other important,
contemporary northern cities. It is also notable that Vārāṇasī had an
overarching authority over a vast region by way of its trade network
maintained through these sites. All these surely placed Vārāṇasī in an
advantageous position. Thus can be demonstrated Erdosy’s basic argument
that city’s contribution in the cultural evolution and the change of its
nature through the participation should be taken into account which is so
far been neglected. His view may be substantiated by Vārāṇasī’s role and
relation in respect to its locality or for that matter by
Rājagṛha-Pāṭaliputra belt. Therefore in our present context both urban
zones held an advantageous position to be connected to far-flung regions
via these trade routes and thereby had a monopoly over a brisk trade.
In both select zones trade was a dominant factor that surely
contributed in the development of nodal points. Being the capital city or
enjoying a convenient location or having both these sites were often the
terminal point of the trade routes. Many small to medium sites, halting
places grew along the routes and formed a culture zone. Thus growing as
nodal points actually meant assuming a much bigger role of which urbanism
was an important part. Growing as a nodal point was certainly of great help
to both Rājagṛha and Vāraṇasī to grow as prime urban centres.
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2. The first country to mine and lead diamond production
KR View the ancient look of Panna https://youtu.be/BrMukSZBTEo
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3. Cows have a sacred status
KR The Cow in Vedic scriptures so sacred
In the Ramayana, the cow and the herds are described at various places.
गो कुल आकुल तीरायाः तमसायाः विदूरतः |
अवसत् तत्र ताम् रात्रिम् रामः प्रकृतिभिः सह || २-४६-१७ 2 46 17
17. viduurataH = At a good distance ; taamasaayaaH = from Tamasa river;
gokulaakula tiiraayaH = whose banks were crowded with herds of cows; raamaH
= Rama; avasat = inhabited; tatra = there; taam raatrim = that night;
prakR^itibhiH saha = with the citizens.
At a good distance from Tamasa river, whose banks were crowded with herds
of cows, Rama passed that night there with the citizens.
गत्वा तु सुचिरम् कालम् ततः शीत जलाम् नदीम् |
गोमतीम् गोयुत अनूपाम् अतरत् सागरम् गमाम् || २-४९-११ 24911
11. gatvaa = after traveling; suchiram kaalam = for a pretty time; tataH =
from there; atarat = (Rama) crossed; nadiim = the river; gomatiim = called
Gomati; shivajalaam = having beautiful waters; goyutaa nuupam = whose banks
were adorned with cows; saagarangamaam = and headed towards the sea.
After traveling a pretty long time from there, Rama crossed the river
Gomati having beautiful waters, whose banks were adorned with cows and
which headed towards the sea.
ततो धान्यधनोपेतान् दानशीलजनान् शिवान् |
अकुतश्चिद्भयान् रम्याम् श्चैत्ययूपसमावृतान् || २-५०-८
उद्यानाम्रवनोपेतान् सम्पन्नसलिलाशयान् |
तुष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णान् गोकुलाकुलसेवितान् || २-५०-९
लक्षणीयान्न रेंद्राणाम् ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादितान् |
रथेन पुरुषव्याघ्रः कोसलानत्यवर्तत || २-५०-१० 2 50 8,9,&10
Then Rama, a tiger among men, in his chariot, crossed Kosala territory,
which was rich in grain and treasure, inhabited by men given to charity,
benevolent and free from every danger, pleasing, full of temples and
sacrificial stakes, adorned with gardens and mango-orchards, intersected by
ponds full of water, populated by contented and well-nourished people,
abounded in herds of cows which deserved to be seen by all kings and which
re-echoed to the chanting of religious texts.
2 There is two types of cows, they are Gau and Dhenu.
पुरु । हि । वाम् । पुरुभुजा । देष्णम् । धेनुम् । नः । इषम् । पिन्वतम् ।
असक्राम् । स्तुतः । च । वाम् । माध्वी इति । सुस्तुतिः । च । रसाः । च । ये ।
वाम् । अनु । रातिम् । अग्मन् ॥ R V 6 63 8
puru | hi | vām | puru-bhujā | deṣṇam | dhenum | naḥ | iṣam | pinvatam |
asakrām | stutaḥ | ca | vām | mādhvī iti | su-stutiḥ | ca | rasāḥ | ca | ye
| vām | anu | rātim | agman
“Protectors of many, vast (wealth) is to be distributed by you; give us
then nutritious and invariable food. Givers of delight, there are to you,
adorers, and fit praise, and libations, which are prepared to acknowledge
your liberality.”
Commentary by Sāyaṇa: Ṛgveda-bhāṣya
Nutritious and invariable food: dhenum na iṣam pinvatam askrām = give us a
cow, food, that does not stray;
Dhenu = prīṇayitrī, gratifying; iṣam may be the adjective for eṣaṇīyam,
give us a desirable cow
3 Bṛhaj jābāla Upaniṣad III.4
The triad of Guṇas is alone the cow. The auspicious cow dung became the
Vidyā. The urine of the cow is likewise said to be the Upaniṣad. Looking
upon the cow, cow dung and urine as the triad of Guṇas, Vidyā and the
Upaniṣad respectively, one should thereafter prepare Bhasma. The Calf of
the cow is of the character of the Smṛtis, and the dung dropped by it one
should likewise use in making ashes.
4 Punishment in Manu smirithi to make criminal good:
चतुर्थकालमश्नीयादक्षारलवणं मितम् ।
गोमूत्रेणाचरेत् स्नानं द्वौ मासौ नियतेन्द्रियः ॥ १०९ ॥
caturthakālamaśnīyādakṣāralavaṇaṃ mitam |
gomūtreṇācaret snānaṃ dvau māsau niyatendriyaḥ || 109 ||
For two months, with senses controlled, he shall eat a limited quantity of
food, without any pungent salt, at the fourth meal-time; and shall bathe in
cow’s urine.—(109)
Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
‘Bathing in cow’s urine’ is to be done three times a day.
‘At the fourth meal-time’ is to be construed with ‘for two months.’
In another Smṛti we read—‘Having shaved his head, covered with the skin, he
shall live in the cow-pen; end bathing in cow’s urine for two months has
been prescribed for him; it is only the washing of the feet that he should
do with water.’ In this it is not possible to connect the bathing in cow’s
urine with the phrase ‘for two months.’ The mention of the feet is only for
the purpose of filling up the metre; for, if any impurity happens to attach
to the man’s feet during the time that he is bathing, it would naturally be
washed with water only; as is clearly laid down by the rules of purification
5 Section VIII - Meditation on the Vedas as a Cow: Chapter V
Verse 5.8.1:
वाचं धेनुमुपासीत; तस्याश्चत्वारः स्तनाः—स्वाहाकारो वषट्कारो हन्तकारः
स्वधाकारः; तस्यै द्वौ स्तनौ देवा उपजीवन्ति—स्वाहाकारं च वषट्कारं च, हन्तकारं
मनुष्याः, स्वधाकारं पितरः; तस्याः प्राण ऋषभः, मनो वत्सः ॥ १ ॥
इत्यष्टमं ब्राह्मणम् ॥
vācaṃ dhenumupāsīta; tasyāścatvāraḥ stanāḥ—svāhākāro vaṣaṭkāro hantakāraḥ
svadhākāraḥ; tasyai dvau stanau devā upajīvanti—svāhākāraṃ ca vaṣaṭkāraṃ
ca, hantakāraṃ manuṣyāḥ, svadhākāraṃ pitaraḥ; tasyāḥ prāṇa ṛṣabhaḥ, mano
vatsaḥ || 1 ||
ityaṣṭamaṃ brāhmaṇam ||
1. One should meditate upon speech (the Vedas) as a cow (as it were). She
has four teats—the sounds ‘Svāhā,’ ‘Vaṣaṭ,’ ‘Hanta’ and ‘Svadhā.’ The gods
live on two of her teats—the sounds ‘Svāhā’ and ‘Vaṣaṭ,’ men on the sound
‘Hanta,’ and the Manes on the sound ‘Svadhā.’ Her bull is the vital force,
and her calf the mind.
Still another meditation on the same Brahman is being mentioned—that speech
is Brahman. ‘Speech’ here means the Vedas. One should meditate upon that
speech (the Vedas) as, i.e. as if she was, a cow. Just as a cow secretes
milk through her four teats for her calf to suck, so does this cow, speech,
secrete through her four teats, to be presently mentioned, food for the
gods etc. that is comparable to milk. Now what are those teats, and who are
those for whom she secretes the food? The gods, corresponding to a calf,
live on two of the teats of this cow, speech. Which are they? The sounds
‘Svāhā and ‘Vaṣaṭ,’ for through them oblations are offered to the gods. Men
on the sound ‘Hanta’: Food is given to men with the use of the word ‘Hanta’
(if you want). The Manes on the sound ‘Svadhā,’ for food is offered to the
Manes to the utterance of this word. Her bull, the bull for that cow,
speech, is the vital force, for the Vedas are rendered fruitful by the
vital force, and her calf the mind, for she is stimulated to secretion by
the mind; because the Vedas are applied to a subject that has been thought
over by the mind, therefore the mind stands for the calf. He who meditates
upon this cow, speech, as such, attains identity with her.
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4. The largest number of vegetarians in the world
G Religion is the main motivation behind vegetarianism in India, with
over 81% of the adult population refraining from eating meat on certain
days.
KR Error corrected and I had written already but perhaps over looked
dec 27th 2023 Veg stat: “Around 22% of the global population is vegetarian
and this number could be growing. Most number of vegetarians reside in
India with 38% of the total population following meat-less diet.” INDIA
IS JUST ABOVE AVERAGE AND MAJOR POPULATION TAKE ONLY NON-VEG FOOD.
……………………………………………………………………………….
KR IRS 27 12 23
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2023 at 13:38
Subject: [iyer123] CULTURAL QA 12-2023-27
To: Patty Thatha <[email protected]>, Iyer <
[email protected]>, Kerala Iyer <[email protected]>
CULTURAL QA 12-2023-27
All the below QA are from Quora DIGEST to me on 27-12-2023.
Selected quora answers generally interesting are included .Still they need
not be 100% correct answers.
Compiled and posted by R. Gopala Krishnan, 80, former ITS on 27-12-2023.
Q1 What is the funniest joke you've been told that you still think
about to this day?
A1 Rory Fellowes, Retired computer animator and director, now a
writer of fictions and plays.Oct 13
A woman carrying a backpack is walking along when she sees two men staring
up at a flagpole, and looking worried. So she goes up to them and asks what
is the problem? The men tell her that they’ve been asked to measure the
height of the flagpole but they can’t think of a way to do it.
The woman takes off her backpack and pulls out a set of spanners and a tape
measure. She selects a spanner and undoes the bolts holding the flagpole
base on its platform. Then she tilts the flagpole off the platform and lays
it on the ground. She takes the tape measure and runs it along the flagpole.
She tells the men it’s 18’ 6”, puts her things back in her backpack and
walks away.
One man turns to the other and says “Now isn’t that just like a woman; you
ask her the height and she gives you the length!”
Q2 What is the best way to dispose Sanitary Napkin in India?
A2 Sofy India, Lives in India Updated Dec 6
In India, the disposal of sanitary napkins is a critical concern,
especially given the challenges in menstrual hygiene management. Properly
managing used sanitary napkins is essential for hygiene, the environment,
and personal well-being. Here's the optimal way to dispose of sanitary
napkins in India:
Wrap Securely: After use, neatly fold the used sanitary napkin and wrap it
securely in its original packaging or a newspaper. This conceals the
contents and minimises the risk of leaks or odours.
Use a Disposable Bag: Place the wrapped napkin in a biodegradable or
compostable disposal bag, readily available in the market and
environmentally friendly.
Avoid Flushing: Never flush sanitary napkins down the toilet, as it can
clog sewage systems, resulting in environmental pollution and expensive
repairs.
Private Disposal: At home, if you lack specialised disposal bins, establish
a small lidded bin in your bathroom exclusively for sanitary napkin
disposal. Empty this bin into the waste collection system when it's full.
Never Litter: Never discard used sanitary napkins in public spaces or open
areas. Such a practice is unsightly, unhygienic, and harmful to the
environment.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Encourage others to adopt these best practices
for sanitary napkin disposal. Increased awareness leads to cleaner and
healthier surroundings for all.
My note- I have included the QA because such items are mostly disposed by
flushing in most homes.
Once I was additional charge of ladies hostel at Trivandrum Training
centre. The lecturer had gone on leave and the scavenger was also given
leave. The arrangement was to put napkins in the dustbin rooms in a waste
bin and daily about 10 bins were taken and dropped in the separate pit with
cover slightly away from hostel by the scavenger.
Since dustbins were getting full, finally I disposed them in the pit with
help of a contractor deploying a lady till the scavenger returned paying
his bill.
Daily waste collectors collect only kitchen waste in a small plastic bag
and plastic items in another bag in Chennai, my area.
Q3 What is the interesting event of a farmer saving a child related
to Alexander Fleming?
A3 Christy Schaefer,7h
At the beginning of the 20th century, a Scottish farmer was returning
home. Walking
past the swamp, he suddenly heard a cry for help. The farmer ran to the
sound and saw a boy trying to get out of the shack. The farmer quickly cut
down the fat bitch, carefully approached and extended the branch to the
drowning one. When the boy got out, he couldn't hold back his tears for a
long time, he was trembling.
“Let’s go to my house,” said the farmer. - You need to calm down and warm
up.
- No, no, - the boy shook his head, - my father is waiting for me. He must
be very worried .
The boy thanked his saviour... And in the morning, the farmer saw that a
carriage laden with high-breed grasshoppers approached his house. A
well-dressed gentleman came out of the carriage and asked:
- Did you save my son's life yesterday?
“Yes, I am,” the farmer replied.
- How much do I owe you?
- Don't hurt me, mister. You don’t owe me any thing. I did what a normal
person should do.
- No, I can't leave it just like that, because my son is very dear to me.
Name any amount, the visitor insisted.
- I don't want to talk about this topic anymore. Good-bye. - The farmer
turned to leave. And then his sonny jumped out on the porch.
- Is this your son? - asked the guest.
“Yes,” the farmer proudly replied, patting the boy on the head.
- Let's make it happen. I will take your son with me to London and pay for
his education. If he is as noble as his father, then neither you nor I will
regret this decision.
It's been a few years. The farmer's son graduated from school, then medical
school, and soon his name became universally known as the name of the man
who discovered penicillin. His name was Alexander Fleming.
Before the war, the son of the same gentleman was admitted to a London
clinic with a severe form of pneumonia. What do you think saved his life
this time? - Yes, penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming.
The name of the gentleman who educated Fleming was Randolph Churchill. And
his son was named Winston Churchill, who later became Prime Minister of
England.
Perhaps these were the events Winston Churchill recalled, saying: "What you
do will come back to you."
My note- What a beautiful line from Winstom Churchill
Q4 What are some of the interesting facts about India?
A4 Deepaktopzone,18h
1. Varanasi is the oldest and continually inhabited city in the world
Also known as Kashi or Benaras, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the
world that is brimming with thousands of years of history and still
thriving. Located on the banks of the river Ganges, Varanasi is a sacred
city in Uttar Pradesh that serves as an important center of Hindu
pilgrimage, poetry, culture, and mysticism. In the words of Mark Twain, “It
is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and
looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
Varanasi is a picturesque place that holds immense significance among
tourists for its cultural significance and the river Ganges. There are over
100 ghats in Varanasi, with stairs leading to the riverfront. Seeing sadhus
and priests worshipping or meditating in the morning and evening hours is a
common spectacle. However, the Manikarnika Ghat is the most
attention-grabbing due to its elaborate crematory rituals.
2. The first country to mine and lead diamond production
Per the records, India has been the only source of diamonds in the world
for over 1000 years since the 4th century BC. This is one of the proudest
facts about India. The diamonds were mined from the alluvial deposits of
the Krishna Nagar Delta. It was not till the 18th century that diamonds
were found in Brazil. Even though India is not the major producer of
diamonds in the world since the 1900s, diamond mining is still taking
place. The most popular regions for industrial-scale diamond mining are
Panna in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Golconda in Andhra Pradesh, and
Mahasamund in Chhattisgarh.
3. Cows have a sacred status
India is probably the only country in the world where the humble cow has
acquired a status no less than God and is revered. The legend says that
cows have been a part of important rituals in India since the 4th century
BC. It has a lot to do with Lord Krishna, who has been portrayed as a
cowherd in ancient epics. All products derived from cows, such as milk,
curd, ghee, etc., are also valued. There are countless Gaushalas or Cow
Shelters in India where cows are fed and taken care of.
4. The largest number of vegetarians in the world
In the list of unknown facts about India, this is not very widely known.
India is home to the largest number of vegetarians in the world. Religion
is the main motivation behind vegetarianism in India, with over 81% of the
adult population refraining from eating meat on certain days. Also, a vast
majority of the Jain and Buddhist population in India avoid eating meat and
follow a plant-based diet. It would not be a surprise to come across
vegetarian KFC and McDonald’s menus in India, among other global food
chains.
5. The popular game ‘Snakes and Ladders’ is India’s contribution to the
world
India has been known as home to several board games, especially the classic
one – Snakes and Ladders. Most of us have played an odd version of this
game, never really knowing about its true origins. The legend has it that
its inception goes back to the early 2nd century BC, when it was known as
Mokshapat or Moksha Patamu. Another legend says that this board dice game
was invented by Swami Gyandev in the 13th century BC. The game was a lesson
in morality for kids, and it pointed toward the effects of Karma (destiny)
and Kama (desire). Eventually, the British version of this game was
published in 1943 by the Milton Bradley Company, under the name Chutes and
Ladders.
6. India stands third for its hefty population of billionaires
Another amazing fact about India is that it has the third largest
population of billionaires in the world after the US and China, per Forbes’
35th annual list of billionaires. Reliance Industries Limited chairman
Mukesh Ambani tops the list of Asia’s richest men, followed by Adani Group
chairman Gautam Adani, and then the Founder of HCL Technologies, Shiv
Nadar. As impressive as it sounds, India has over 140 billionaires and
counting.
7. The largest religion in India, Hinduism is the oldest in the world
India has the largest Hindu population in the world, with over 966.3
million individuals identifying as Hindu, according to the 2011 census.
With over 94% of the global Hindu population, India stands tall as the
Hindu hotspot in the world, with its roots dating back over 5000 years.
There is no known founder of Hinduism, but it flourished as soon as the
Vedic philosophies emerged around 1500 to 500 BC. However, the rituals and
cultural phenomena were known to become widespread between 500 BC and 300
AD. Contrary to some popular beliefs, Hinduism is not pure polytheism. It
believes in Brahma, the creator.
8. India is the largest spice producer globally
One of the most amazing facts about India is its contribution to the world
spice market. Over 70% of different varieties of spices in the world are
grown in India, with the most popular spices, namely cardamom, cinnamon,
saffron, turmeric, nutmeg, vanilla, and cloves. Besides this, India is also
the largest consumer of spices in the world. No wonder Indian kitchens are
stacked with versatile spices that are used in everyday cooking without
fail. Also, there is mention of spices to cure common ailments in the
Vedas, which is an important part of Indian culture. If you ever want to
get immersed in aromas and a complex labyrinth of spice lanes, then Khari
Baoli in Delhi is the place to visit. Touted as the largest spice market in
Asia, it is overwhelmingly beautiful and a delight to the senses. However,
do take a guide along with you if it is your first time.
9. The magnetic hill that defies gravity
Not many people know about Magnetic Hill, but it is probably one of the
unique facts about India. Magnetic Hill outrightly defies gravity. Yes, you
heard it right! Also known as Gravity Hill, it is located around 30km from
Leh. This is a part of the road of the Leh-Kargil highway. Many tourists
flock to see this mysterious phenomenon, and you can spot some signs with
proper instructions that will help you experience and make the most of it.
Instead of rolling downhill, your vehicle will start going uphill. All this
will happen when your car is neutral. Many theories run amok, explaining
this strange phenomenon. One scientific theory concludes that the hill has
a strong magnetic force that pulls the vehicles downward. Another theory
suggests the presence of an optical illusion. The landscape creates an
illusion for the eyes, obstructing the horizon. This makes it hard for us
to differentiate the slopes of the hill. The lack of a flat surface or
horizon makes it look like it is coming downhill while the opposite is
happening. If you are planning a leh tour and want to decode the mystery of
Magnetic Hill, the months between July and October are your best bet.
10. Mystery glacial lake with skeletons
Also known as Skeleton Lake, Roopkund is a one-of-a-kind high-altitude
glacial lake located in the Indian Himalayas. Seated at a height of 16,499
above sea level, Roopkund is a mysterious lake in the state of Uttarakhand.
It is essentially a small water body that is home to the skeletons of
hundreds of individuals of unknown origin. This scenic trek lures tourists
from around the globe for its skeletal remains. It was discovered in 1942
when a British forest ranger H K Madhwal spotted a skeleton floating in the
lake. Initially, it was suspected to be part of the Japanese invasion
forces during World War II. However, the carbon dating revealed that the
skeletons were more than 1200 years old. The skeletons shared similar
wounds to the head, but the cause of the death remains unknown as they died
during different periods. It is concluded that they might have died
suddenly due to a hailstorm, but it is still a mystery what so many people
were doing at such high altitudes. The total distance of the Roopkund trek
is roughly 53 km, and it may take you around 5 to 7 days to complete this
trek.
My note-The points are repeat, but I have added it for the added information
Q5 What is the funniest joke you've been told that you still think
about to this day?
A5 Sue Spencer,9h
A drunk stumbles along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the
river.
He proceeds to walk down into the water and stand next to the preacher.
. The minister turns and notices the old drunk and says, "Mister, are you
ready to find Jesus?"
The drunk looks back and says, "Yes, Preacher, I sure am."
The minister then dunks the fellow under the water and pulls him right back
up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asked.
"Nooo, I didn't!" said the drunk.
The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and
says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?"
"Noooo, I have not, Reverend."
The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this
time, brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "My God, man,
have you found Jesus yet?"
The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher, "Are you sure this
is where he fell in?"
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