Catchy!

By K S Shyamsundara F or over three decades, Madhav Rao had lived by a strict, unyielding moral compass. As a government school teacher in a bustling town, he had shaped thousands of young minds, teaching them geography, history, and more importantly, integrity. He belonged to a rare, vanishing breed of individuals who believed that a clean conscience was the greatest wealth a human being could possess. When he finally hung up his chalk and retired, his entire life's earnings culminated in a modest monthly pension and a rented flat on the second floor of a high-rise apartment complex. He lived there quietly with his wife, Sharada. The apartment building was a microcosm of modern society. While Madhav Rao lived on the lower floors—accessible by stairs and filled with modest, working-class families—the upper floors scaled heights of unimaginable luxury. The penthouses and higher storeys were occupied by the town’s elite: influential politicians, wealthy contractors, and high-ranking ...

  By B S Ranganath H is affectionate smile faded on Sarva Ekadashi in 1956, when his physical journey came to a close. His mortal remains were consigned to the sacred flames at the MCC Crematorium at Harishchandra Ghat, nestled near the Guha Temple at the Chamundi Foothills, Mysuru. I am writing this overdue tribute today, honoring his memory as I've performed his yearly rituals this month.  For many families in India, special days on the lunar calendar carry a mix of spirit, tradition, and comfort. I found myself swept up in this feeling one morning in July, when my family in Bengaluru gathered for my father's annual remembrance ceremony. The house was alive with scents of sandalwood, the sound of soft devotional tunes, and a sense of peace. The occasion? Sarva Ekadashi, that fell due on July 10 this year. To some, it might seem like just another festival, but for us, there’s a deeper story woven into this eleventh lunar day; its layers only become clearer with each family ce...

By B S Ranganath M onthly and annual rituals are a core part of many families’ observances after losing a loved one. I’ve found them to be more than simple customs; they offer real comfort and a sense of structure during a period that can often feel unpredictable. The Hindu tradition, for example, outlines a specific calendar of rituals, including masikas and oonamasikas, to help families honor and remember the deceased. These ceremonies are meaningful, with each one serving a particular purpose as the year unfolds. The tradition of performing sixteen monthly (masika) and extra (oonamasika) ceremonies in the first year after a death stems from the Hindu lunar calendar. Unlike the standard twelve-month English calendar, these ceremonies are based on the tithi, or the lunar day, which means the actual dates can switch up each year. Here is an example: Reference Date: January 22, 2026 (Graphic Above) Panchanga mentions towards Shukla Chaturthi tithi for the coming 12 months: Phalguna Shuk...

P rayer goes beyond simple words or spiritual rituals. For many people, myself included, it's a daily practice that brings real comfort, hope, and sometimes even an unexpected sense of peace in moments of chaos. I’ve noticed how quickly things can mix it up in life, whether in personal situations or big world events, and I always come back to prayer when I need strength or guidance. Today, I want to share my perspective on what makes prayer so powerful, and how people around the world—even strangers—can come together in unity for something as important as peace. Why Prayer Feels So Powerful, Even in Everyday Life I often hear people ask, “Does prayer really work?” or “Is it just wishful thinking?” Speaking as someone who’s prayed both in tough times and for daily worries, I’ve seen how prayer brings me a steady focus I can’t get anywhere else. Even if I don’t get an immediate answer, something nearly always mixes up inside me: I feel less alone, a little lighter, or suddenly able t...

  By Kyle Loudoun E very major shift in technology triggers the SAME reaction cycle. First comes excitement, then confusion, and shortly after that, fear. We saw it with computers, with the internet, and with smartphones.  AI is simply the latest chapter, but it feels more personal because it touches intelligence itself. When people say AI is becoming “more intelligent than us,” what they are really reacting to is a loss of perceived control. They take it personally. Intelligence has always been the advantage humans relied on, but now that advantage feels shared, and that is unsettling for many. May be even most.  But that fear is rooted in a misunderstanding. AI Is Not Replacing People, It Is Replacing Friction. The real shift is not that AI is doing human work. It is that AI is removing the barriers that once required teams, budgets, and time. For most of history, if you wanted to grow, you needed to hire. Writers, researchers, marketers, strategists. That made progre...

  I f you enjoy stories where food, culture, and people come together, Chef Couple Restaurant is the kind of place you’ll want to check out. I get a profound sense of warmth every time I visit, and it’s not just from the delicious dishes. There’s a genuine passion behind every plate, thanks to the chef duo running the show. Certain restaurants manage to create memories that stick with you. For me, Chef Couple Restaurant holds that charm because it’s powered by love and shared ambition. When two chefs, who also happen to be partners in life, team up to run a restaurant, you can bet there’s extra heart in everything they serve. The restaurant stands out in the city’s food scene as a place where tradition and creativity mingle. I remember my first meal there, a hearty bowl of Hyderabadi Biryani that radiated both comfort and zest. It was obvious every detail, from the spice blend to the way the rice was layered, told a story. I could see that the passion the chef couple brought went b...