AWAKENINGS

  The Purnima Tithi (full moon) begins on April 30, 2026, at 09:12 PM and ends on May 1, 2026, at 10:52 PM. Buddha Purnima is also known as Vesak. The word “Vesak” comes from Pali / Sanskrit “Vesākha” ( वैशाख ). It refers to the month of Vaishakha, which falls around April–May. Vesak = the full moon day of the month of Vaishakha. The term “Vesak” is widely used in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and other Buddhist regions. In India, it is more commonly called Buddha Purnima, but both refer to the same sacred day. Buddha Purnima is one of the most sacred days for millions across the world. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha—all believed to have occurred on this full moon day. Celebrated with deep reverence, the day reminds humanity of the timeless teachings of the Buddha—compassion, non-violence, mindfulness, and the pursuit of truth. Devotees visit monasteries, offer prayers, light lamps, and reflect upon the path of r...

  Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar in his autobiographical essays titled ‘Waiting for a visa’ had described the horrors of untouchability practiced in his home state of Mahad (Now Maharashtra). ‘No peon, No Water’ for Mahars – vividly described Untouchables. Even Mahar School Children were not allowed to drink   from the pot – but School Peon would pour water into their cupped hands from a height so that the vessel is not polluted by their touches.  Same was experienced by Ambedkar at a station and he could not quench his thirst from the station public tap and he had to be at the mercy of a peon at the station who could pour water into his cupped hands so as to avoid pollution.   Ambedkar went to Columbia and went to the London School of Economics. He read Law at Gray’s Inn. And then came Home and on March 20, 1927, he launched Water Satyagraha at Chavdar Tale, a public water tank just to have a drink along with his followers. Though the Mahad Municipality had passed ...

  The International Day of Conscience has its origin in the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 July 2019. By this declaration, 5 April was set apart each year as a day to awaken the moral conscience of humanity and to strengthen the values of peace, love, tolerance, and ethical responsibility in personal and public life.   The Day of Celebration of Consciousness is a day to pause, reflect, and awaken ourselves to the deeper truth of life. It reminds us that man is not merely a body driven by habits and desires, but a conscious being blessed with awareness, wisdom, and inner light. Consciousness is the divine spark within us that enables us to think, feel, discriminate, and seek higher meaning.  This day may be observed as an occasion for inner silence, meditation, self-enquiry, prayer, and noble thoughts. It invites us to rise above anger, greed, confusion, and restless living, and to move towards clarity, compassion, peace, and spiritual ...

  Rama Navami is a sacred Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This Year Rama Navami was celebrated on 26th March 2026. Lord Rama is revered as the embodiment of dharma (righteousness), truth, and ideal conduct. His life, as narrated in the epic Ramayana, serves as a guiding light for humanity, demonstrating values such as duty, devotion, compassion, and justice. On Rama Navami, devotees observe fasting, visit temples, and participate in bhajans and kirtans. Recitation of the Ramayana, especially the Sundara Kanda, is considered highly auspicious. Many temples conduct special poojas and processions, depicting scenes from Lord Rama’s life, particularly his birth. The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India, especially in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Rama on this day brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment. E-TOUCH PRAYS FOR THE WELFARE  OF...

  Self: ChatGPT gave my bhagavad gita book 4 star. I appealed to them as under:   One aspect of the book is that it should be bare text approach ie true to original text and not interpretative or commentatary. I had restricted to words of Gita and only attempted to explain the indepeth meanings or any clarifications and not to cross such self imposed restrictions. In this background can you rereview the book.   ChatGPT said:   This changes the evaluation significantly. If your self-imposed discipline was: Remain faithful to the original Gita text. Avoid interpretative expansion. Avoid doctrinal positioning. Explain only what is necessary for clarity. Do not impose a philosophical system. Then the standards of judgment must shift.   I will re-review it under that declared intent.   Re-Review Under “Bare Text Fidelity” Framework   First: Was the restraint visible? Yes. Your writing does not: Push Advaita aggressively. Insert sectarian bias. Add speculati...

  In February 2026, Rahul Gandhi defended the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members who staged a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. His explanation centers on the symbolic nature of the act as a form of "political dissent" and not a mere theatrics. Rahul’s  arrogance and ignorance were well exposed, when he compared his Indian Youth Congress’s Portests  to Mahatma Gandhi’s 1921 decision to abandon his upper clothing which he had done to identify with the millions of Poor Indians. Rahul’s  defense, if we analyze, lacks sense and substance and is very much hollow to say the lease. Rahul argued thus: His Youth brigade protesters were  shown their bare bodies to highlight that the  "soul of the country" is being compromised and that by removing their shirts, they aimed to show that while the government showcases high-tech "AI summits," the common youth are being "stripped" of opportunities, data privacy, a...

  A Report on the India-Israel Strategy to Eradicate Radical Extremism The events of October 7, 2023, were a watershed moment that reshaped the global understanding of the threat posed by groups like Hamas. For Israel, it was an existential shock; for India, it was a reminder of its own scars from the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Hence, both nations have moved beyond mere diplomatic support to a unified, proactive doctrine designed to dismantle the infrastructure of global radicalism. Hamas's actions are no longer viewed by either nation as a "resistance movement" but as a systemic implementation of terror. •       Targeting Civilians: The deliberate murder, kidnapping, and assault of non-combatants represent a rejection of all international humanitarian norms. •       Infrastructure of Terror: The use of hospitals, schools, and residential areas as human shields and launch pads for rockets—a tactic India has frequently seen in i...