India’s Digital Payment Revolution

UNIFIED PAYMENTS INTERFACE (UPI)

India’s Unified Payments Interface, popularly known as UPI, has transformed the way people send and receive money. What began as a simple idea to make digital payments easier has today become a global benchmark for fast, secure, and inclusive payment systems.

UPI: The World’s Largest Fast-Pay System

In its 2025 report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially recognised India’s UPI as the world’s largest retail real-time payment system. According to the report, UPI processes around 129.3 billion real-time transactions annually, accounting for nearly 49% of all real-time digital payments across the globe.

This remarkable achievement places India ahead of countries like Brazil, Thailand, China, and South Korea in the use of instant payment platforms.

How UPI Changed Everyday Payments

UPI allows users to transfer money instantly using a mobile phone, without needing bank account numbers or IFSC codes. A simple UPI ID or QR code is enough to complete a transaction within seconds.

Today, UPI is used for:

● Paying at local shops and supermarkets

● Shopping on apps and online platforms

● Booking transport and travel

● Paying electricity, water, and gas bills

● Accessing government services and subsidies

From street vendors to large malls, UPI has become a part of daily life for millions of Indians.

A Boost to Financial Inclusion

One of UPI’s biggest successes is how it has brought digital payments to people across cities, towns, and villages. With just a smartphone and a bank account, anyone can use UPI. This has helped small businesses, farmers, and self-employed workers become part of the formal digital economy.

UPI Goes Global

UPI’s success is no longer limited to India. The platform is now accepted in several countries, allowing Indian travellers to pay abroad using the same apps they use at home.

Did You Know?

🇮🇳 UPI is accepted in countries like Singapore, Bhutan, and the UAE, making international payments simple for Indian travellers.

📱 UPI works 24/7, even on bank holidays.

💡 It was launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

🌍 Many countries are studying UPI as a model to build their own digital payment systems.

The Future of UPI

With features like UPI Lite, credit on UPI, and cross-border payments, the system continues to evolve. As India moves toward a cash-light economy, UPI stands as a powerful example of how technology can make everyday life simpler, faster, and more connected.

A Cut Above the Rest

✂️ THE HISTORY OF SCISSORS 

With just a little squeeze, scissors can cut paper, string, fabric, and even hair. They are so common today that we hardly think about them—but scissors have a fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years. In fact, they are among the oldest tools still in everyday use.

✨ The First Snip: Ancient Beginnings

The earliest known scissors appeared in Ancient Egypt around 1500–1000 BCE. These early scissors were quite different from the ones we use today. They were made from a single piece of bronze, shaped like two blades joined by a flexible strip of metal. To cut something, the user had to squeeze the blades together and then let them spring back apart. These are known as spring scissors.

Because bronze was expensive, such scissors were mostly used by craftsmen for cutting cloth, leather, or papyrus.

🏛️ A Roman Revolution in Design

A major improvement came from the ancient Romans around the 1st century CE. They introduced pivoted scissors, where two separate blades were joined in the middle with a pin or screw. This allowed the blades to rotate smoothly, making cutting faster, easier, and more precise.

This design was so effective that it became the foundation for nearly all modern scissors. In many ways, the scissors you use today still follow the Roman idea!

🔨 Handmade Masterpieces of the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, scissors were handcrafted by skilled blacksmiths, especially in Europe. These scissors were made of iron or steel and were often beautifully decorated. Some had engraved handles or unique shapes, making them both tools and works of art.

At this time, scissors were expensive and valuable. Only tailors, barbers, weavers, and gardeners usually owned them. Many families passed scissors down from one generation to the next.

⚙️ The Industrial Age: Scissors for Everyone

The biggest change came in the 18th century. In 1761, an Englishman named Robert Hinchliffe became the first person to mass-produce scissors made entirely of cast steel. Using moulds allowed scissors to be made faster, cheaper, and with consistent quality.

This innovation made scissors affordable for ordinary households, and their use spread rapidly across the world.

✂️ Scissors Today: Tools for Every Task

Today, scissors come in countless shapes, sizes, and styles, each designed for a specific job:

● Safety scissors with rounded tips for children

● Hair-cutting scissors for barbers and stylists

● Fabric scissors for tailors and designers

●Shears for gardening and cutting thick materials

● Surgical scissors used by doctors

● Left-handed scissors, designed to fit comfortably

● Modern scissors are made from stainless steel, plastic, titanium, or ceramic, and many have soft grips for comfort.

Despite all these changes, the basic principle remains the same: two sharp blades working together to create a clean cut.

🤔 Did You Know?

✂️ The world’s largest pair of scissors is over 3.6 metres long—taller than a giraffe’s neck!

✂️ The word scissors comes from the Latin word “scindere”, meaning to cut.

✂️ Even though we say “a pair of scissors,” it is treated as a plural noun in English.

🌟 Conclusion

From ancient bronze spring scissors to today’s high-tech cutting tools, scissors have come a long way. Their simple yet clever design has stood the test of time, proving that sometimes the best inventions don’t need much changing at all. The next time you pick up a pair of scissors, remember—you’re holding a piece of history in your hand!

The Scientist Who Heard the Whisper of Plants

JAGDISH CHANDRA BOSE 

Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose (1858–1937) was one of India’s greatest scientists, whose work bridged physics, biology, and botany at a time when such interdisciplinary research was unheard of. He was a pioneer who proved that plants are living, sensitive beings, and he laid foundations for modern wireless communication—long before it became mainstream.

Early Life and Education: Jagdish Chandra Bose was born on 30 November 1858 in Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh), then part of British India. His father, Bhagawan Chandra Bose, believed strongly in Indian culture and education. Bose’s early schooling in a vernacular school helped him remain deeply connected to Indian traditions.

He later studied at St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta, under the guidance of Father Eugene Lafont. Bose went on to England, where he studied at Cambridge University, earning degrees in natural sciences.

Contributions to Science:

1) Pioneer of Wireless Communication

Before Guglielmo Marconi became famous for radio transmission, Bose demonstrated wireless communication using microwaves in the 1890s. He invented several instruments, including the mercury coherer, used for detecting radio waves.

Unlike many scientists of his time, Bose refused to patent his inventions, believing that scientific knowledge should benefit humanity freely.

2) Proving That Plants Feel

Bose’s most revolutionary work was in plant physiology. He invented a sensitive instrument called the Crescograph, which could measure tiny movements in plants.

Through experiments, Bose showed that plants: respond to heat, cold, light, noise, and chemicals; experience stress and fatigue; show reactions similar to pain and pleasure

His research challenged the belief that plants were lifeless and earned him international recognition.

Challenges and Recognition: As an Indian scientist under British rule, Bose faced discrimination and skepticism. Initially, he was paid less than his British colleagues. Despite this, his brilliance could not be ignored.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1920 and knighted in 1917, after which he became known as Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose.

The Bose Institute: In 1917, Bose founded the Bose Institute in Calcutta, India’s first interdisciplinary research centre. It remains a leading scientific institution today and stands as a testament to his vision of independent scientific research in India.

Legacy: Jagdish Chandra Bose was more than a scientist—he was a thinker, philosopher, and patriot. He proved that Indian minds could lead global science, even during colonial times. His work continues to inspire scientists, environmentalists, and students across the world.

Conclusion: Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose’s life teaches us that true science is driven not by fame or profit, but by curiosity, courage, and compassion for life. By listening to nature and respecting knowledge, he left behind a legacy that still speaks to the modern world.

A Story of Dreams, Loss, and Resilience

THE STORY OF WASHING POWDER NIRMA 

In the late 1960s, washing clothes in India was expensive. Most families could not afford branded washing powders, and people mostly used soap bars to wash their clothes. At that time, a young man named Karsanbhai Patel decided to change this.

Karsanbhai Patel was working as a chemist in the Gujarat government. In his free time, he started making his own detergent powder at home. He carefully mixed chemicals in his backyard and tested the powder himself. Once he was satisfied with the quality, he packed it in small bags.

Every morning before going to work, he would take his bicycle and go door-to-door selling his detergent. He sold it for just ₹3 per kilogram, while other popular brands cost around ₹15. Many people were surprised that a good detergent could be so cheap.

At first, shopkeepers and big companies did not take him seriously. But housewives loved the product because it cleaned clothes well and saved money. Slowly, word spread from one home to another, and the demand grew.

Karsanbhai named his detergent “Nirma,” after his daughter. With the profits he earned, he set up a small factory. Over time, Nirma became one of India’s most popular detergent brands.

Tragically, she passed away later in a road accident, and after her death, the name Nirma took on a deeper emotional meaning for him. He continued to grow the brand, and it became both a business success and a lasting memory of his daughter.

In the 1980s, Nirma challenged big multinational companies and became a household name. Its catchy jingle—

“Washing Powder Nirma, Washing Powder Nirma…”

made it famous across the country.

The success of Nirma showed that hard work, innovation, and understanding the needs of common people can create something extraordinary. Karsanbhai Patel’s simple idea changed the way millions of Indians washed their clothes.

Do you know

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY WHEN A PERSON GETS ELECTROCUTED?

Electrocution occurs when electric current passes through the human body. Since the body itself functions through delicate electrical signals—especially in the nerves, muscles, and heart—an external electric shock can severely disrupt normal bodily functions. The effects of electrocution can range from mild injuries to fatal consequences, depending on factors such as the strength of the current, duration of exposure, and the path the electricity takes through the body.

Disruption of the Nervous System: The nervous system is highly sensitive to electricity. When an electric current enters the body, it interferes with normal nerve signals. This can result in sudden muscle spasms, loss of control over body movements, confusion, or even unconsciousness. In many cases, the muscles contract so tightly that the person is unable to let go of the electrical source, prolonging exposure and increasing injury.

Severe Muscle Contractions: Electric current causes involuntary and powerful muscle contractions. These contractions may lead to temporary paralysis, locking of the jaw or hands, and in extreme cases, fractures or dislocations caused by the sheer force of the muscle movement.

Effects on the Heart: One of the most dangerous consequences of electrocution is its impact on the heart. Electricity can disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm, causing conditions such as ventricular fibrillation, where the heart beats erratically, or cardiac arrest, where the heart stops altogether. Even relatively small amounts of current passing through the chest can be life-threatening.

Breathing Difficulties: Electrocution can paralyse the muscles responsible for breathing or interfere with the brain centres that control respiration. This may result in respiratory arrest, leading to a lack of oxygen supply to vital organs, particularly the brain.

External and Internal Burns: Electrical injuries often cause burns at the points where the current enters and exits the body. However, the most serious damage may occur internally. As electricity passes through tissues, it generates heat that can burn muscles, nerves, and organs beneath the skin. These internal burns are not always immediately visible but can be extremely dangerous.

Damage to Organs and Tissues: Electric current can destroy muscle tissue, leading to a condition known as rhabdomyolysis. The breakdown products of damaged muscles can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause kidney failure. Blood vessels and nerves may also be permanently damaged.

Effects on the Brain: Depending on the severity of the shock, electrocution can cause seizures, memory loss, long-term neurological problems, coma, or death. Brain injury may result either from the direct effect of electricity or from oxygen deprivation due to breathing or heart failure.

Factors That Determine Severity

The seriousness of electrocution depends on several factors, including:

● The voltage and strength of the current

● The duration of contact

● Whether the skin is wet or dry (wet skin conducts electricity more easily)

● The path taken by the current through the body

Conclusion : Electrocution is unpredictable and can cause serious internal injuries even when external signs appear minor. Immediate medical attention is essential in all cases of electrical shock. Understanding how electricity affects the body highlights the importance of electrical safety in everyday life.

A Thousand Years of Faith, Destruction, and Renewal

SOMNATH TEMPLE, GUJARAT 

The Somnath Temple, located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval on the coast of Gujarat, is one of the most sacred shrines of Hinduism. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is revered as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Over the centuries, Somnath has come to symbolise not only devotion, but also the enduring spirit of Indian civilisation.

In recent times, the temple has been in the news for completing 1,000 years since the first recorded attack in 1026 CE, a milestone that highlights its extraordinary historical journey.

Sacred Origins and Importance: The name Somnath means “Lord of the Moon.” According to legend, Chandra (the Moon God) worshipped Lord Shiva at this site to be freed from a curse that caused him to wane. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva restored his brilliance and manifested here as a Jyotirlinga.

Ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Rig Veda, Shiva Purana, and Skanda Purana mention Somnath, indicating that it was regarded as a sacred site from very early times.

Early History and Rise to Prominence: Historically, Somnath grew into a grand and wealthy temple during the early medieval period. Under the Chaulukya (Solanki) rulers of Gujarat, especially King Bhima I, the temple was magnificently rebuilt in stone in the early 11th century, becoming an important centre of pilgrimage, learning, and culture.

The First Recorded Attack – 1026 CE

The first historically documented attack on the Somnath Temple occurred in January 1026 CE, when it was raided by Mahmud of Ghazni, ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire.

Despite resistance by local defenders, the temple was heavily damaged and plundered.

This event marks a turning point in Somnath’s history and is now widely recognised as the beginning of a long cycle of destruction and reconstruction. The year 2026 marks 1,000 years since this first recorded attack, bringing renewed attention to the temple’s legacy of resilience.

Cycles of Destruction and Reconstruction

After 1026 CE, Somnath was rebuilt several times by Hindu rulers and devotees:

● Reconstructed by Chaulukya kings after Mahmud of Ghazni’s raid

● Attacked again in 1299 CE by forces of Alauddin Khilji

● Rebuilt by the Chudasama rulers of Gujarat in the 14th century

● Damaged again in 1395 CE under Zafar Khan, founder of the Gujarat Sultanate

● During the Mughal period, especially under Aurangzeb, the temple faced further destruction and neglect

Each time, Somnath rose again—earning its reputation as a shrine that refused to disappear.

Rebirth in Independent India: After India gained independence, the reconstruction of Somnath became a matter of national pride. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strongly advocated rebuilding the temple as a symbol of cultural self-respect and renewal.

The present temple was completed and consecrated in 1951, marking one of the earliest large cultural reconstruction projects of independent India.

Architecture and Setting: The current Somnath Temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture, noted for its balance, elegance, and intricate carvings.

● The shikhara (spire) rises over 150 feet

● It is crowned with a golden Kalash

● The temple faces the Arabian Sea, creating a powerful and serene backdrop

● An inscription near the shore famously states that there is no land between Somnath and the South Pole, reflecting ancient India’s geographical understanding.

Living Traditions and Festivals: Somnath remains a vibrant centre of worship. Daily Abhishek, Aarti, and Darshan rituals attract thousands of devotees. Major festivals such as Mahashivratri, the month of Shravan, and Kartik Purnima see large pilgrimages.

The sound of temple bells blending with ocean waves gives Somnath its unique spiritual atmosphere.

Did You Know?

🔹 Somnath is the first Jyotirlinga among the twelve sacred Shiva shrines.

🔹 The first recorded attack on the temple took place in January 1026 CE.

🔹 The year 2026 marks 1,000 years since that historic attack.

🔹 Somnath has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over nearly a millennium.

🔹 The modern temple was completed in 1951, soon after India’s independence.

🔹 The site is believed to be a Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati meet the sea.

Somnath: A Symbol Beyond Stone

Today, the Somnath Temple stands as a monument to faith that survives time and turmoil. Its thousand-year history reminds us that while structures may fall, belief, culture, and identity endure. Facing the endless sea, Somnath continues to inspire generations with its message of resilience, devotion, and rebirth.

Nature’s Skilled Tree Drummers

WOODPECKERS 

Woodpeckers are fascinating birds best known for their strong beaks and rhythmic drumming sounds. They use their sharp, powerful beaks to peck holes into trees and wooden surfaces. This pecking is so fast and forceful that it produces a loud tapping or drumming sound, which can often be heard from far away.

Physical Features

Woodpeckers show great variety in appearance depending on their species. Their feathers come in many colours such as red, white, grey, green, and brown. Some species have striking red or yellow markings on their heads, making them easy to identify.

One remarkable feature of woodpeckers is the presence of special feathers near their nostrils. These act like filters and prevent tiny wood particles from entering their nose while pecking. They also have a long, sticky tongue that helps them pull insects out from deep cracks in trees.

Their stiff tail feathers play an important role too. When a woodpecker pecks at wood, these strong tail feathers act like a support or prop, helping the bird balance against the tree trunk.

Another unique feature is their feet. Woodpeckers have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward on each foot. This toe arrangement helps them grip tree trunks firmly and stay steady while climbing and pecking.

Habitat and Distribution

Woodpeckers are found in many parts of the world, including forests, woodlands, and even parks and gardens. Most species prefer forested areas where trees provide food, shelter, and nesting spaces.

Scientists believe there are more than 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide. Some well-known species include the Gila woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, and white woodpecker.

Food and Feeding Habits

Woodpeckers mainly feed on insects such as termites, beetles, ants, and grasshoppers. By eating harmful insects, they help keep forests healthy. Apart from insects, some woodpeckers also eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and berries. Certain species drink sap—the sweet, juice-like substance found inside trees.

Woodpecker Habits and Behaviour

Woodpeckers usually live in holes in trees. Often, they carve these holes themselves using their beaks.

Most species make their homes in forests, though some adapt well to human surroundings.

They use a variety of sounds such as drumming, chattering, and twittering to communicate.

Some woodpecker species are territorial and protect their nesting areas from other birds and animals.

Drumming is not only for finding food—it is also used to attract mates and mark territory.

Conservation and Threats

Due to large-scale deforestation, several woodpecker species are now endangered. The imperial woodpecker and the ivory-billed woodpecker are among the most threatened. In fact, some scientists believe the imperial woodpecker may have already become extinct.

Did You Know?

● Woodpeckers can peck wood up to 20 times in a single second.

● Their skulls are specially designed to absorb shock, protecting their brains from injury.

● A woodpecker’s tongue can be longer than its beak and wraps around its skull when not in use.

Conclusion

Woodpeckers are truly remarkable birds with unique adaptations that help them survive and thrive in their environment. From their powerful beaks and sticky tongues to their strong feet and tails, every feature has a purpose. Protecting forests is essential to ensure that these skilled tree drummers continue to be a part of our natural world.