The Saint of Dakshineswar

RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA 

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was one of India’s most revered spiritual figures of the 19th century. Known for his deep devotion, simplicity, and profound spiritual experiences, he played a key role in shaping modern Hindu thought and inspiring a spiritual awakening in India.

Early Life

Ramakrishna was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay on 18 February 1836 in the village of Kamarpukur in West Bengal. From childhood, he displayed a deeply spiritual temperament. He was known for his intense devotion, love for devotional songs, and moments of spiritual ecstasy.

Though he received little formal education, his spiritual insight and purity of heart drew people toward him.

Priest at Dakshineswar

In 1855, Ramakrishna became a priest at the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple near Kolkata. The temple was dedicated to Goddess Kali, and Ramakrishna’s devotion to the Divine Mother became the centre of his spiritual life.

His worship was not mechanical—it was filled with emotion and total surrender. He often experienced intense spiritual trances (samadhi), during which he felt direct communion with the Divine.

Spiritual Experiments and Universal Vision

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ramakrishna’s life was his practice of different religious paths. He not only followed various traditions within Hinduism but also practiced Islam and Christianity with sincerity. Through these experiences, he concluded that all religions lead to the same ultimate truth.

His famous teaching can be summed up as: “As many faiths, so many paths.”

This message of religious harmony remains highly relevant even today.

Guru of Swami Vivekananda

Among Ramakrishna’s many disciples, the most famous was Swami Vivekananda. Initially skeptical, Vivekananda was deeply influenced by Ramakrishna’s spiritual experiences and teachings. After Ramakrishna’s passing in 1886, Vivekananda carried his master’s message to the world, especially through his historic speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Later, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to promote spiritual growth, education, and social service.

Teachings and Philosophy

Ramakrishna’s teachings were simple yet profound:

●God can be realised through sincere devotion.

●All religions are true and lead to the same Divine Reality.

●Renunciation of ego is essential for spiritual growth.

●Service to humanity is service to God.

●He often used simple parables and everyday examples to explain complex spiritual truths, making his message accessible to common people.

Final Years and Legacy

Ramakrishna suffered from throat cancer in his later years and passed away on 16 August 1886. However, his spiritual legacy continues to inspire millions around the world.

Today, the Ramakrishna Mission runs schools, hospitals, and relief services across India and abroad, embodying his ideal of combining spirituality with service.

A Timeless Influence

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was not a political leader or social reformer in the conventional sense, yet his spiritual influence deeply impacted India’s cultural and religious landscape. His life stands as a shining example of devotion, tolerance, and universal love.

He remains a symbol of harmony in diversity—a message especially meaningful in today’s world.

There are many beautiful and inspiring incidents from the life of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Here are a few of the most touching and interesting ones.

1. The Vision of Goddess Kali

While serving as a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Ramakrishna longed intensely for a direct vision of Goddess Kali. His yearning became so deep that he would weep, roll on the ground, and cry out to the Divine Mother like a child calling for his mother.

One day, unable to bear the separation, he decided to end his life with the temple sword. At that very moment, he had a powerful spiritual vision—he saw the temple and surroundings dissolve into a boundless ocean of light, and the Divine Mother revealed herself to him.

This experience transformed him completely and confirmed his belief that God can be realised through sincere devotion.

2. Testing Swami Vivekananda

When young Swami Vivekananda (then Narendranath Datta) first met Ramakrishna, he boldly asked,

“Have you seen God?”

Without hesitation, Ramakrishna replied,

“Yes, I have seen God. I see Him as clearly as I see you, only more intensely.”

This confident and direct answer deeply impressed Narendra.

In another incident, Ramakrishna once touched Narendra, and he immediately felt the world spinning and dissolving into nothingness. Frightened, he cried out. Ramakrishna laughed and restored him to normal consciousness. This experience convinced Narendra of his guru’s extraordinary spiritual power.

3. Seeing God in All Beings

Ramakrishna believed that serving people is the same as serving God. Once, when he saw a poor devotee being treated harshly, he felt intense pain himself.

He used to say: “Jiva is Shiva” — meaning every living being is a manifestation of God.

This idea later inspired the humanitarian work of the Ramakrishna Mission.

4. Practising Different Religions

In a remarkable spiritual experiment, Ramakrishna sincerely practiced Islam for some time. He dressed like a Muslim, repeated Islamic prayers, and avoided Hindu rituals. After deep practice, he experienced a vision that confirmed to him that Islam too leads to the same Divine Truth.

He later practiced Christianity and had a vision of Jesus Christ as well.

This was extraordinary for 19th-century India and showed his deep commitment to religious harmony.

Why These Incidents Matter

These stories are not just miracles; they show:

●The power of childlike faith

●The importance of spiritual experience over theory

●Respect for all religions

●Love and compassion for humanity

Ramakrishna’s life teaches that spirituality is not about rituals alone—it is about sincerity, love, and direct experience of the Divine.

A Turning Point in American History

THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH 

In 1848, a single discovery changed the destiny of an entire region—and helped shape the future of the United States. The California Gold Rush was one of the most dramatic mass migrations in history, transforming a quiet frontier into a booming land of opportunity almost overnight.

The Discovery That Sparked It All

The story began on January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The discovery was made by James W. Marshall while working for John Sutter.

At first, the news was kept secret. But when word spread, it travelled fast—across the United States and even overseas. By 1849, thousands of fortune-seekers had rushed to California. These hopeful miners became known as the “Forty-Niners.”

The Journey to California

Reaching California was no easy task in the mid-19th century. Prospectors travelled:

●By wagon across dangerous overland trails

●By ship around South America’s Cape Horn

●Or through the disease-ridden jungles of Panama

Despite the risks, more than 300,000 people arrived in California between 1848 and 1855.

Boomtowns and New Beginnings

Before the Gold Rush, California was a sparsely populated region that had just become part of the United States after the Mexican-American War. Within a few years, towns sprang up almost overnight.

The small settlement of San Francisco exploded in population, growing from about 200 residents in 1846 to tens of thousands within a few years. Shops, saloons, hotels, and banks appeared rapidly to serve the growing population.

The Gold Rush played a major role in California becoming the 31st U.S. state in 1850.

Life in the Gold Fields

Life for miners was harsh and uncertain. Most prospectors used simple tools such as pans and shovels to sift through riverbeds. While a few struck it rich, the majority found little gold and struggled to survive.

As surface gold became scarce, mining operations grew more complex. Hydraulic mining and large-scale companies replaced individual prospectors. The dream of easy wealth faded for many, but the economic impact remained.

Impact on Society and Environment

The Gold Rush had lasting consequences:

●It accelerated the westward expansion of the United States.

●It brought immigrants from China, Latin America, Europe, and Australia.

●It led to rapid economic growth and infrastructure development.

●It caused severe environmental damage due to mining techniques.

●It had devastating effects on Native American communities, who were displaced and suffered violence and disease.

A Legacy That Endures

Though the Gold Rush officially declined by the mid-1850s, its influence shaped modern California. It turned the region into an economic powerhouse and symbolised the American dream—the belief that opportunity awaits those bold enough to seek it.

Today, sites like Coloma preserve the memory of those feverish years when the cry of “Gold!” echoed across rivers and mountains, drawing people from every corner of the globe.

Did You Know?

●The phrase “There’s gold in them thar hills!” became popular during this era.

●Very few miners actually became wealthy. ●Most fortunes were made by merchants selling supplies.

●The Gold Rush helped make San Francisco one of the most important cities on the West Coast.

The floating village of Cambodia

KAMPONG LUONG 

On the shimmering waters of Tonlé Sap—Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake—floats a remarkable community that seems to defy gravity and convention. Kampong Luong, one of Cambodia’s most fascinating floating villages, is not built on land but entirely on water. Here, homes, schools, shops, temples, and even pig pens drift gently with the currents.

A Village That Moves with the Water

Kampong Luong is located in Pursat Province and is home to thousands of people, many of whom are of Vietnamese and Khmer origin. Unlike stilt villages, where houses are built on tall wooden poles, this settlement truly floats. Homes are constructed on large wooden rafts or metal pontoons, allowing them to rise and fall with the dramatic seasonal changes of Tonlé Sap.

During the monsoon season, the lake expands up to five times its dry-season size. As water levels shift, the entire village relocates slightly, maintaining access to deeper water. Boats replace bicycles, and children row themselves to school just as others might walk down a street.

Life on Water

Daily life in Kampong Luong revolves around fishing. Tonlé Sap is one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world, providing food and livelihood to millions in Cambodia. Families cast nets at dawn, mend boats in the afternoon, and sell fresh catch at floating markets.

The village has everything needed for survival:

● Floating homes painted in bright blues and greens

● A floating school and small shops

● A Buddhist temple gently rocking with the waves

● Even floating fuel stations and basketball courts

● Water is not just scenery—it is the road, the market, and the playground.

Culture and Community

Despite the unusual setting, life here follows familiar rhythms of community and tradition. Festivals are celebrated with boat gatherings, neighbors help one another repair rafts, and children splash in the lake after school. The people of Kampong Luong have adapted ingeniously to their environment, developing a lifestyle deeply connected to the ecosystem of Tonlé Sap.

Challenges Beneath the Surface

However, life in a floating village is not without hardship. Seasonal flooding, declining fish stocks, environmental changes, and limited access to healthcare and clean water pose serious challenges. Climate change and upstream dam construction have also affected the lake’s natural flow, impacting livelihoods.

Yet resilience defines Kampong Luong. Generation after generation, families continue to live in harmony with the lake, preserving a unique way of life that has existed for centuries.

A Living Wonder

Kampong Luong is more than a tourist curiosity—it is a testament to human adaptability. In a world where most communities are anchored to land, this floating village reminds us that home is not defined by soil beneath our feet, but by the strength of community and the will to thrive wherever life takes us.

The Bird That Stinks

HOATZIN 

Deep in the swamps and rainforests of the Amazon lives one of the world’s strangest birds — the Hoatzin. Known for its unusual appearance and even more unusual smell, this bird has earned a curious nickname: the “stinkbird.”

But why does it stink? And what makes it so special? Let’s find out.

Where Does It Live?

The Hoatzin is found in the tropical wetlands and riverbanks of South America, especially around the vast Amazon Rainforest and the Orinoco River basin. It prefers swampy forests with plenty of leafy vegetation.

Why Is It Called the “Stinkbird”?

Unlike most birds, the Hoatzin has a unique digestive system similar to that of a cow!

It eats mostly leaves.

The leaves ferment inside a large crop (part of its digestive tract).

This fermentation process produces a strong, manure-like smell.

Because of this, the bird often smells like wet vegetation or even cow dung — hence the nickname!

This rare digestive method is called foregut fermentation, and it is almost unheard of in birds.

A Bird with Dinosaur Traits

The Hoatzin also looks prehistoric. It has:

● A spiky crest on its head

● Blue skin around its eyes

● Red eyes

● Brownish, ragged feathers

Even more fascinating — baby Hoatzins are born with two tiny claws on each wing! These claws help them climb branches if they fall into the water. As they grow older, the claws disappear.

This feature has made scientists compare them to the ancient bird Archaeopteryx, a creature that lived during the dinosaur age.

National Bird of Guyana

The Hoatzin is so unique that it is the national bird of Guyana, where it is locally called the “Canje Pheasant.”

Behavior and Lifestyle

Hoatzins are poor fliers. They prefer hopping and climbing.

They are social birds and often live in small groups.

They build nests over water, so chicks can drop into the river to escape predators and then climb back up using their claws.

Conservation Status

The Hoatzin is currently listed as Least Concern, meaning it is not immediately endangered. However, habitat destruction in the Amazon could affect its population in the future.

Did You Know?

● The Hoatzin is sometimes called the “reptile bird” because of its primitive traits.

● It is the only living member of its family — making it truly one of a kind!

● Its unusual smell makes it unattractive to hunters.

The Hoatzin may not win awards for fragrance, but it certainly wins for uniqueness. With its cow-like digestion, dinosaur-style claws, and striking appearance, this “stinkbird” proves that nature is full of surprises!

A New Era in Governance

SEVA TEERTH, NEW DELHI 

On 13 February 2026, Narendra Modi formally inaugurated Seva Teerth, a modern government complex in New Delhi that marks a significant shift in India’s administrative architecture. 

🏛 What Is Seva Teerth?

Seva Teerth is the new headquarters of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and a consolidated hub for core executive functions, housing:

● The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

● The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)

● The Cabinet Secretariat

All these previously operated from separate locations across the Central Vista area and the South Block, a colonial-era building that has served as the PMO since Independence. 

🗓 Historic Significance of the Day

The inauguration took place on 13 February 2026, which also coincides with 95 years since New Delhi was declared the nation’s capital in 1931—adding historical resonance to this administrative transition. 

🏗 A Shift from Colonial Legacy

The move from the century-old South Block to Seva Teerth represents more than a physical relocation. Government officials and the Prime Minister described the shift as a symbolic step away from colonial-era institutions toward a modern, citizen-centric governance ecosystem. 

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that Seva Teerth reflects the aspirations of India’s 140 crore people and embodies the ethos of service (“Seva”). 

🌟 Features of the Complex

Integrated and future-ready infrastructure: Designed to bring key executive offices under one roof for better coordination and efficiency. 

● Green and sustainable standards: Built to 4-Star GRIHA eco-friendly norms for environmental performance. 

● Citizen-centric focus: Includes centralised public interface zones and digitally integrated systems. 

● New address and identity: The motto “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (“citizen is akin to God”) is inscribed at the complex, symbolising a governance approach prioritising the people.

🪙 Commemorations

To mark the inauguration, the government released a ₹100 commemorative coin featuring Seva Teerth’s image and the inscription “Nagrik Devo Bhava.” 

📌 What Happens Now

With Seva Teerth now operational:

● The PMO has officially shifted from the iconic South Block. 

● South Block and related colonial buildings are expected to be repurposed as museum space—part of a broader cultural transformation. 

● The new complex is set to play a central role in how the Indian government functions going forward. 

● In essence, Seva Teerth marks a new chapter in India’s administrative evolution—one that blends modern infrastructure with a governance philosophy rooted in service to the people. 🇮🇳

Celebrating Strength, Leadership, and Legacy

NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN INDIA 

Every year on 13 February, India observes National Women’s Day to honour the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu—a remarkable freedom fighter, poet, and one of the most inspiring women leaders in Indian history. Fondly known as the “Nightingale of India,” she played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence and became a symbol of women’s empowerment.

Why 13 February?

National Women’s Day in India is celebrated on 13 February to mark the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949). She was not only a celebrated poet but also a courageous political leader. She became the first Indian woman to serve as President of the Indian National Congress and later the first woman Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces, now Uttar Pradesh) after independence.

Her life stands as a reminder that women can lead, inspire, and transform society.

Who Was Sarojini Naidu?

Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad and displayed extraordinary talent from a young age. A brilliant student and gifted writer, she later joined the Indian freedom movement alongside leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

She was deeply committed to women’s rights and worked tirelessly to encourage women to step out of traditional boundaries and participate in public life. Her speeches inspired thousands of women to join the freedom struggle.

Difference Between National Women’s Day and International Women’s Day

It is important not to confuse National Women’s Day (13 February) with International Women's Day, which is celebrated globally on 8 March.

National Women’s Day (India): Celebrates Sarojini Naidu’s birth anniversary and honours Indian women’s contributions.

International Women’s Day: Focuses on global women’s rights, equality, and achievements.

Both days highlight the importance of gender equality but have different historical backgrounds.

Significance of National Women’s Day

National Women’s Day is significant because it:

● Recognises the achievements of Indian women in politics, science, arts, sports, education, and social reform.

● Encourages discussions about gender equality and women’s empowerment.

● Inspires young girls to dream big and pursue leadership roles.

● Reminds society of the ongoing need to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women.

How Is It Celebrated?

Across schools, colleges, and organisations in India, the day is observed through:

● Speeches and seminars on women’s empowerment

● Cultural programmes and poetry recitations (often featuring Sarojini Naidu’s works)

● Awards recognising outstanding women

● Social media campaigns celebrating women achievers

● Many educational institutions also organise essay writing and debate competitions to spread awareness about women’s contributions to nation-building.

The Relevance Today

Even in modern India, the message of National Women’s Day remains powerful. While women have made remarkable progress in various fields—from space missions to corporate leadership—challenges such as gender bias and inequality still exist.

The life of Sarojini Naidu reminds us that courage, education, and determination can break barriers. Celebrating National Women’s Day is not just about remembering the past; it is about strengthening the future.

Conclusion

National Women’s Day in India is a tribute to the spirit, resilience, and achievements of Indian women. By commemorating Sarojini Naidu’s legacy, the nation acknowledges the vital role women play in shaping society.

As we celebrate this day each year on 13 February, it serves as a reminder that empowering women means empowering the entire nation.

Do you know

HOW WERE MUMMIES MADE?

What comes to your mind when you think of mummies? Perhaps you imagine monsters in bandages.

However, for the ancient Egyptians, who believed in life after death, mummification was all about preparation for the afterlife, if you wanted to preserve the bodies of the dead. A mummy is the preserved body of a person or animal, resulting from the drying and embalming of flesh to prevent decay. This process was expensive and typically reserved for pharaohs and wealthy nobles. It took approximately 70 days to complete the mummification process.

First of all, the body was washed, and all its internal organs, except the heart, were removed from the body. These organs were then placed in special containers known as canopic jars.

Next, the body was covered in natural salt for about 50 days to dry it out. After that, the interior of the body was filled with linen, sawdust, and fragrant herbs.

At this point, the body was ready to be carefully wrapped in layers of linen bandages, similar to a giant gift wrap in order to provide protection. Amulets or small charms were placed within the wrapping for good luck and to assist in the journey into the afterlife.

Anubis: the God of funerary rites and guide to the underworld 

Once completed, a mask was placed over the face to adorn it. Then a priest wearing a mask of the God Anubis would recite prayers over the body. After that, the body was placed inside a wooden coffin, which was later placed in a luxurious sarcophagus (a coffin carved from limestone) to provide an additional layer of protection. Finally, the body was buried in a tomb and ready to begin the journey to the afterlife.

Thanks to this mummification process, many mummies remain in excellent condition, providing valuable insights into ancient Egyptian civilisation. 

Now that you understand how mummies are made, there is no reason to fear them! Right?