Culture, History

Akitu Feast: A Celebration of New Beginnings in Ancient Mesopotamia

The Akitu feast was one of the most important religious festivals in ancient Mesopotamia. It marked the beginning of the new year and the renewal of life in spring. It was also a time to honor the supreme god Marduk and his son Nabu, who were believed to have created and ordered the universe out of chaos. It reaffirmed Marduk’s role as the supreme god and creator of all things. It also reaffirmed the king’s role as Marduk’s representative on earth and his legitimacy as ruler of Babylon. It also reaffirmed the bond between the king, the gods, and the people, who shared a common destiny and fate. Continue reading Akitu Feast: A Celebration of New Beginnings in Ancient Mesopotamia

Indrajit RoyChoudhury4 Comments
Opinion

Indian Rupee Goes Global

The Indian rupee (INR) is gaining momentum as an international currency, as more countries are opting to trade in INR instead of the US dollar. This is a significant development for India’s economy, as it reduces the dependency on foreign exchange reserves, lowers transaction costs, and boosts exports. Trading in INR is also in line with India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant and resilient economy. As more countries join the bandwagon of trading in INR, India can expect to reap more benefits and advantages from its international trade relations. Continue reading Indian Rupee Goes Global

Indrajit RoyChoudhury7 Comments
Opinion

The Credit Suisse Collapse: What Went Wrong & What Are the Lessons?

Credit Suisse was once one of the world’s leading banks, with a reputation for innovation and excellence. But in March 2023, it shocked the financial world by announcing that it had run out of cash and was being taken over by its rival UBS. How did this happen? And what can other banks learn from its demise? Credit Suisse’s collapse is a cautionary tale for all banks that want to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic era. They need to be agile, customer-centric, and responsible if they want to avoid becoming obsolete or irrelevant. Continue reading The Credit Suisse Collapse: What Went Wrong & What Are the Lessons?

Indrajit RoyChoudhury6 Comments
Opinion

Silicon Valley Bank: How Does a Bank Collapse in 48 Hours?

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was a well-capitalized institution seeking to raise some funds. Within 48 hours, a panic induced by the very venture capital community that SVB had served and nurtured ended the bank’s 40-year run. While relatively unknown outside of Silicon Valley, SVB was among the top 20 American commercial banks, with US$209 billion in total assets at the end of last year. Faced with higher interest rates, loss of IPOs, and a funding drought, SVB’s clients began pulling money out of the bank. Lenders somewhat similar to SVB are in an unfortunate situation. A failure to protect deposits over $250,000 could cause a loss of faith in other mid-sized banks. Analysts said SVB’s collapse is unlikely to set off the kind of domino effect that gripped the banking industry during the financial crisis. Continue reading Silicon Valley Bank: How Does a Bank Collapse in 48 Hours?

Indrajit RoyChoudhury10 Comments
History

Lalmohan Ghosh: The First Indian to Stand for Election to the British Parliament

Long before Rishi Sunak, the present British Prime Minister stormed into the British political landscape, about 138 years ago, a shipbuilding district in Southwest London cheered “Vote for Ghosh” for an Indian man in the UK Parliament election. But who is this Ghosh? Ghosh was a pioneer in his field. He was born in 1849 in the Bengali hamlet of Krishnanagar and grew up to … Continue reading Lalmohan Ghosh: The First Indian to Stand for Election to the British Parliament

Indrajit RoyChoudhury10 Comments
Culture

Chhau Dance & Paryavaran Mela in Ranchi

We went to the Paryavaran Mela in Ranchi and saw a lovely Chhau dance in the evening. Chhau binds together people from different social strata and ethnic backgrounds with diverse social practices, beliefs, professions, and languages. This semi-classical dance form originated at the royal court of Saraikela, now in Jharkhand. However, increasing industrialization, economic pressures, and new media are leading to a decrease in collective participation with communities becoming disconnected from their roots. Continue reading Chhau Dance & Paryavaran Mela in Ranchi

Judhajit Roychoudhury10 Comments
History

Iraq Dig Uncovers 5,000-Year-Old Pub Restaurant

The US-Italian team made the find in the ruins of ancient Lagash, northeast of the modern city of Nasiriyah in Iraq, which was already known to have been one of the first urban centers of the Sumerian civilization of ancient Iraq. Team finds primitive fridge, oven, benches for guests, around 150 serving bowls, evidence of eating, drinking, and even beer recipe inscribed on cuneiform tablet. A detailed analysis would need to be carried out on the samples taken during the excavations. Continue reading Iraq Dig Uncovers 5,000-Year-Old Pub Restaurant

Indrajit RoyChoudhury13 Comments
History, Travel

Pakri Barwadih Megalithic Observatory Site

Megalithic monuments are among the earliest and most permanent of archaeological structures, and so many of them were used, or more properly, have been used and reused for thousands of years. Their original intent is likely lost to the ages, but they may have had multiple functions as they were used by different cultural groups over the centuries and millennia. Continue reading Pakri Barwadih Megalithic Observatory Site

Indrajit RoyChoudhury41 Comments
History, Travel

Isko Caves: A Journey into the Past

Isko Cave is a natural cave located in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India. It is considered to be a site of archaeological significance, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Stone Age. These Isko caves and rock art needs protection and maintenance. The ASI and the state government must take immediate steps to protect this heritage. This will promote tourism and bolster the local economy too. Continue reading Isko Caves: A Journey into the Past

Indrajit RoyChoudhury15 Comments