Author: Deshwale Editorial Desk

AI Generated image The history of extinct religions becomes even more complicated when we look beyond the famous civilisations. Carthage, the Hittite Empire, ancient Anatolia and the pre-Zoroastrian Iranian world all developed religious traditions that eventually disappeared or were transformed beyond recognition. Carthage worshipped gods including Baal Hammon and Tanit as part of the wider Phoenician and Punic religious world. The Carthaginian system developed its own characteristics and remained closely connected to the city’s political and social institutions. When Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BCE, its political foundations were shattered. Some Punic religious practices survived for a time under Roman…

It’s thin, white, and weighs next to nothing. Worn under a shirt, it can go unnoticed by everyone except the man wearing it. And yet for centuries, this small cotton thread has carried an unusual weight of meaning. To some, it’s a reminder of a disciplined religious life. To others, historically, it meant access to Vedic learning and ritual privilege. To critics of the caste order, it became a visible symbol of exclusion. The object itself is simple. Its history is not. In Sanskrit, it’s called the yajnopavita, worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm, and it’s…

AI Generated image The disappearance of ancient religions was not limited to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Across Europe, Asia and the Americas, religious systems that once shaped societies were transformed by conquest, conversion, migration and cultural change. Some disappeared completely, while others survived through mythology, folklore, language and traditions that became part of newer religions. Mithraism is one of the most famous and frequently misunderstood examples. The Roman cult of Mithras was a mystery religion centred on initiation and ritual groups known as Mithraea. It was particularly associated with soldiers, merchants and other mobile populations of the Roman Empire.…

AI Generated image There was a time when the gods of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome were not archaeological subjects studied in museums and history books. People prayed to them, built temples for them, offered food and sacrifices, organised festivals in their honour and believed that kings ruled with divine authority. Religion was woven into government, agriculture, law, kingship and everyday life. Yet many of these once-powerful religious traditions eventually disappeared, leaving behind ruins, inscriptions, statues and stories. There is no simple answer to how a religion disappears. People do not usually wake up one morning and collectively decide that…

Islands occupy some of the most fascinating extremes on Earth. Some are larger than countries, while others are little more than rocky outcrops. Some support millions of people, while countless others remain completely uninhabited. Yet one simple question has no simple answer: How many islands are there in the world? There is no universally accepted global total. Different countries use different definitions and mapping methods. Japan’s experience shows just how dramatically modern surveying can change an island count. Why counting Islands is so difficult Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an island is a naturally…

India’s industrial and logistics infrastructure sector is set to witness a significant milestone as Horizon Industrial Parks Limited, backed by global investment firm Blackstone, prepares to launch its much-awaited Initial Public Offering (IPO). The ₹2,600 crore public issue will open for subscription on August 17 and close on August 19, marking what the company describes as India’s first industrial and logistics-focused IPO. The IPO is entirely a fresh issue of equity shares, with the company fixing the price band at ₹57 to ₹60 per share. Investors can apply for a minimum of 250 equity shares, with bids thereafter accepted in…

Nothing can be more disappointing than the recent food safety raids carried out across Maharashtra and Bengaluru. What makes these inspections alarming is that contaminated ingredients, expired food products and unhygienic conditions were reportedly found not just at small eateries but at some of India’s biggest and most trusted brands. From premium hotels and restaurant chains to supermarkets and quick-commerce dark stores, the list has only raised one question—are large companies becoming careless when it comes to the health of the very consumers who built their businesses? For years, these brands have marketed themselves as symbols of quality, hygiene and…

Every time you send a WhatsApp message, join a Zoom meeting, stream a movie or make an international online payment, it’s easy to assume the internet works through satellites floating in space. The truth is far more surprising. Nearly 95 to 99 per cent of the world’s international internet traffic travels through fibre-optic cables lying silently on the ocean floor. Stretching over one million kilometres and spread across nearly 600 undersea cable systems, these cables form the backbone of the global internet. Without them, modern communication, banking, cloud computing and international business would come to a standstill. Although invisible to…

A snack that theatres once rejected eventually became one of their most profitable products and one of the strongest symbols of moviegoing.The Great Depression changed the relationship between popcorn and cinema. Theatre owners realised that selling food could bring in additional money from customers who were already inside the building. Popcorn was particularly attractive because it was cheap to produce, easy to prepare and simple to serve. Cinemas Finally Brought Popcorn Inside As demand grew, theatres began allowing popcorn vendors into their buildings. Some initially rented space to outside sellers. Eventually, many theatre owners decided to operate their own concession…

The world’s best pedestrian-friendly countries have one thing in common. They don’t simply build footpaths. They build complete walking networks. That is where India continues to struggle. Ironically, the problem isn’t a lack of knowledge. India already has detailed guidelines that explain exactly what a good footpath should look like. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC:103-2022) recommends that pedestrian infrastructure should focus on safety, security, continuity, comfort and liveability. It also covers everything from tactile paving and crossings to street furniture, landscaping, bus stops and facilities for persons with disabilities. The challenge begins after the guidelines are written. Good plans, poor…