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Masroor Rock-Cut Temples: Tucked away in the hills of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Valley lies Masroor Rock-Cut Temples, an extraordinary piece of Indian heritage that is mostly ignored. Masroor Rock-Cut Temples, also referred to as Masroor Temples, is an early 8th-century complex of rock-cut Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley of the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh. They are often referred to as the Ellora of Himachal and the Himalayan pyramid. Archaeological surveys say that they have been built around the 8th century, almost 1200 years ago, due to their resemblance to the “Gupta style of architecture” from the same period. However, there is no mention of the temple in any of the scriptures or historical records. The temple complex was first reported by Henry Shuttleworth in 1913, bringing it to the attention of archaeologists. They were independently surveyed by Harold Hargreaves of the Archaeological Survey of India in The 15-monument temple complex resembles the North Indian Nagara architecture style and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana. Unlike other Hindu temples in the country that face the east, this one faces northeast towards the Dhauladhar mountains. The temples were carved out of monolithic rock with a shikhara and provided with a sacred pool of water. The temple complex follows a symmetrically laid-out square grid. The main temple, with a square plan, is surrounded by smaller temples arranged in a mandala pattern. Three entrances adorn the temple, facing northeast, southeast, and northwest. Interestingly, evidence points towards a planned but unfinished fourth entrance, often overlooked in historical records. The Masrur Temples display elaborate reliefs portraying significant Vedic and Puranic deities. These reliefs are accompanied by captivating friezes that narrate ancient tales from Hindu texts. Much of the Masroor temple’s sculpture and reliefs have been lost. They were also quite damaged, most likely from earthquakes.

The Pink Saheli Cards: Reports indicate that many transgender persons in Delhi are facing difficulties in obtaining ‘Pink Saheli’ smart cards, despite being officially included as beneficiaries under the free bus travel scheme. The Pink Saheli Cards is a smart-card-based free bus travel scheme launched by the Delhi Government in March 2025 for women and transgender persons travelling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses. Aim is To ensure affordable and accessible public transport for women and transgender persons, enhancing their mobility and participation in economic and social activities. To provide a transparent, digital, and beneficiary-linked system for delivering transport subsidies while promoting gender inclusivity. Key Features: Free Bus Travel Benefit: Eligible women and transgender persons can travel free of cost on Delhi government-operated buses using the smart card. Smart Card-Based Digital System: The scheme replaces paper-based pink tickets with a reusable digital card linked to passenger identity records. Inclusive Eligibility Framework: Official guidelines recognize both women and transgender persons as beneficiaries under the scheme. Aadhaar-Based Verification: Card issuance and validation are linked to identity verification, enabling streamlined beneficiary management and monitoring.

Sjogren’s Disease: Researchers from Japan recently discovered a self-reinforcing loop between different immune cells that sustains autoimmune responses in patients with Sjögren’s disease. Sjogren’s disease (also called Sjögren’s syndrome) is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands. It typically attacks the glands that produce tears, saliva, and sweat. Other parts of the body may also be affected. The exact cause of Sjogren’s syndrome is unknown, though there seems to be a genetic influence. It is thought that factors such as viral infections, stress, and hormone changes can trigger symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome. Sjogren syndrome can happen at any age. But most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. Ninety percent (90%) of adults diagnosed with Sjogren’s are women. Sjogren’s can occur alone or in association with other autoimmune diseases, most commonly lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Symptoms: People with Sjogren’s syndrome can have: dry eyes, which may also feel painful, burning, itchy, or gritty a dry mouth, making it difficult to swallow, speak, or eat dry foods swelling of the glands in the face and neck areas Some people with Sjögren’s syndrome also notice: joint pain, swelling and stiffness dry skin or skin rash vaginal dryness persistent dry cough ongoing fatigue Sometimes the liver and kidneys are affected. A few people will also develop lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes). There is no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome. Treatment for Sjogren’s disease attempts to relieve the effects of chronic dryness of the mouth and eyes by increasing the lubrication and moisturization of the affected tissues.

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India Signs BrahMos Missile Deal with Vietnam: The Defence Secretary said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that India has signed a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, while a similar agreement with Indonesia is in the final stages following a March 2026 agreement. The Philippines was the first foreign buyer, signing a contract worth nearly $375 million in 2022, highlighting India’s export of the missile system in Southeast Asia.\ India shares advanced defence technologies with countries it regards as friendly partners, including ASEAN nations, emphasizing trust and strategic alignment. Several ASEAN members, including the Philippines and Vietnam, have overlapping maritime claims with China in the South China Sea, making BrahMos exports significant for regional defence partnerships. Shangri-La Dialogue is an important annual inter-governmental security forum held in Singapore. It brings together defence ministers, military officials and strategic experts to discuss Indo-Pacific and global security issues. BrahMos Missile: The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, integrating Indian guidance and control systems with Russian propulsion technology for high performance and reliability. Its name is derived from the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. BrahMos was inducted into the Navy in 2005, the Indian Army in 2007, and first successfully launched from an IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter in 2017. It is land, air, sea, and submarine-launched, with multiple versions featuring extended ranges and evolving onboard sensing capabilities, making it versatile across operational domains. The missile travels at supersonic speeds of around Mach 2.8–3, enabling rapid engagement of targets.

Virupaksha Temple: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently removed the walls built inside the main gopuram of Virupaksha Temple, where a mantapa was converted into an office The Virupaksha, also known as the Pampapathi temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva. It is located in Hampi, within the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, it is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Considered the most renowned and significant temple in Hampi, Virupaksha Temple has been operational without interruption since its establishment in the 7th century AD, making it one of the oldest functioning temples in India. Initially a modest shrine, it was later expanded during the Chalukyas and Hoysala periods. The temple experienced considerable growth and enhancement during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th centuries), evolving into a prominent religious and cultural hub. The rulers of Vijayanagara, especially King Deva Raya II and King Krishnadevaraya, played a crucial role in the temple’s expansion, contributing structures such as the eastern gopuram and the central pillared hall. The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style, featuring towering gopurams, detailed carvings, pillared halls, and expansive courtyards. The design of the temple includes repeating patterns, showcasing the architectural and mathematical expertise of the era. The triangular form of the temple and the manner in which patterns are divided and repeated are particularly remarkable. The temple complex includes a sanctum sanctorum, multiple pillared halls (the most elaborate being a hall with 100 pillars), antechambers, and grand gopurams (gateway towers). The temple has three prominent gopurams, with the eastern gopuram being the largest, reaching a height of 160 feet and consisting of nine tiers. The gopurams are adorned with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities. The temple’s design incorporates principles of physics, such as the Rectilinear Light Theory and the pinhole camera effect. Notably, the temple features an inverted pinhole image of its tower on the inner wall, a remarkable example of ancient engineering.

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