Almost no @BJP4TamilNadu can see this or vouch for better trains. Go during peak time & see the rush. Forget solving difficult issues, atleast approach your own central minister. @VinojBJP@SuryahSG
Wonder when will Southern Railway upgrade all the old rakes still running in Chennai Suburban Rail routes. These are from the early 2000s. Chennai deserves better... @AshwiniVaishnaw@GMSRailway@CMOTamilnadu
The Thanjavur Maratha king Raja Serfoji II, whose birth anniversary is celebrated today, was a multi-faceted personality. I had earlier written about his immense contribution to the restoration and renovation of the Thanjavur Rajarajeswaram Temple. Here is another fascinating aspect of his life.
The Modi records preserved in the Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur reveal his deep interest in medicine, particularly Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani systems.
He established the Dhanvantari Mahal, where medicines based on Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani traditions were prepared. He also maintained herbal gardens. Several works dealing with diseases and their treatment were compiled during his period, an important one being the “Sarabhendra Vaidhya Muraigal,” which deals with various ailments and their treatment.
His interest in ophthalmology is particularly fascinating. Documentary evidence survives showing the treatment of cataract, corneal ulcers, eye infections and other ophthalmic conditions. Cataract operations were also performed.
What is remarkable is the integration of Indian and European systems of medicine. The records mention treatments such as castor oil, rhubarb powder, an indigenous “blue pill” and leech therapy, while European medicines included silver nitrate, belladonna solution and other preparations.
The records were remarkably systematic: diagnosis, medicines administered, surgical procedures and even the patient’s post-treatment vision were carefully documented.
The contributions of Maharaja Serfoji II constitute an extraordinary chapter in the medical history of India.
The Indian express story on ECI was aimed at influencing the judgement of Supreme Court on the appointment of CEC. They succeed in it.
No clear verifiable evidence given, can you tell me what was the topic of disagreements between ECs? Just create sensation and use that to influence the judgements.
Today’s report by IE is prolly done to try and influence this order. It has been relentless in its effort through op eds to ensure that SC takes away the primacy of executive in appointment of EC which has existed since 1947. Frankly Constitution is clear that executive has power
Sion Bridge is a small but critical railway bridge in Mumbai
It was 112 years old.
The govt realized after 112 years old that it is 112 years old and needs to be replaced.
They said it would take 2 years to replace a 60 mtr bridge.
When the Bridge was there it took me 45 mins to get to office and 1 hour to get back.
Since the bridge is demolished, I spend one and a half hours to reach office and an hour and 45 minutes to get back.
That is one and half additional hours in commute, every day, for the last two years
Which makes it 7.5 hours a week
Or 390 extra hours a year.
Which becomes 780 extra hours over the last two years
That's a 32 extra days spent on commute over the last two years.
Or one whole month.
Just on commute
This is extra or over and above the 32 days I anyway used to spend on commute in two years.
And this is just me.
And there are thousands like me
One small bridge. One massive impact.
Hope the govt completes it soon.
That's all we ask
Heard this from Chandramohan of Hatsun while talking about delegation and the importance of not micromanaging:
“If you hire a dog, allow it to bark.”
A sharp lesson: If you hire someone for their ability, give them the trust and freedom to do the job. Delegation without autonomy is just micromanagement.
@vaitheek 🤣 they got a good person coming after 20 yrs to see the change they did! @UpdatesChennai appo na next terminal update next 20yrs dhaan pola...!
@solankineha01 Totally! Need this issue to be raised at more effective level ! Found it alarming when i came to know from a friend. One end cannot be more like a rush sale thing, but a proper process in place definitely can solve the issue. @PMOIndia
@annamalai_chap2 No, Not everyone will accept his current stance, but that does not mean ppl will not support him. This is a land where d-parties ruled for decades easily disrespecting ppl's beliefs. You need not cast away your supporters so soon by comparing things to personal gain etc
During his farewell speech to Hamid Ansari, the PM said something to the effect of, "You may have had reluctance to do certain things then, but you will no longer have that now. You can do what your core ideology asks you to."
UPI and MDR: There Is No Free Lunch
I usually avoid saying anything that puts our collective mindset in a poor light. But today, I have to be blunt. We Indians love anything that comes free, and we panic the moment a price tag touches something we took for granted.
We behave as if lifetime free access to world-class infrastructure is a fundamental right.
The recent UPI MDR rollout has triggered sheer hysteria. Why? Because sensational headlines convinced people that every single UPI transaction will now cost money.
Here is reality:
Consumers pay zero. Not a single extra paisa comes out of our bank accounts.
P2P transfers remain 100% free.
Small merchants are untouched on payments up to ₹2,000.
The 0.4% MDR applies only to commercial transactions over ₹2,000, strictly capped at ₹300 even on purchases of ₹75,000 or more.
What happens next is predictable:
Some merchants may refuse UPI payments above ₹2,000 to dodge the fee.
Others will try passing the surcharge to buyers—even though doing so is explicitly
Some will quietly bake it into retail prices.
The government shares the blame here. Once again, a major economic policy was executed without clear upfront communication, leaving a massive vacuum for clickbait and rumors.
Now we will watch ministers and spokespersons scramble to post damage-control threads about a narrative that spiraled days ago.
Our media did what it has done for 25 years: hunt TRPs by pushing alarmist headlines first and delivering fact-checks only after the panic settled.
There is no free lunch in economics. Banks and payment providers cannot carry server loads, fraud management, and network infrastructure out of their own pockets forever.
The same people who proudly shared clips of foreign leaders marveling at India's digital rails—and the same crowd that laughed at political speeches questioning digital payments—are now losing their minds over a capped fee on luxury purchases.
UPI revolutionized our everyday lives after demonetization, and it isn't going anywhere. But it’s time we mature as consumers, respect basic unit economics, and stop acting like cutting-edge financial rails can run on goodwill forever.
We don’t have a problem paying 10-20₹ platform fees and delivery charges to private vendors like Zomato & Swiggy but we are outraging about 8₹ that we hypothetically might have to pay to NCPI because the vendor might pass on the MDR charge to us
- Why this foolish hypothesis?
- Does the vendor charge you extra right now for paying by Credit Card? NO
-Do you know that Credit Cards also have MDR & that too at 1.5-3.5% whereas UPI MDR is only 0.4%
Exactly.. want to know this comparison, which no one is sharing. Ultimately its a payment gateway, there are costs to run...! All the start-ups will price their product to their own best interests, but don't want to pay the small udr, spreading confusions among common public.
How much will you pay as charges if you make a payment of Rs. 100000 if you use a Visa card? Rs. 1400.
How much will you pay as charges if you make a payment of Rs. 1L using UPI? Rs. 300
Congi idiots will now say 300 is greater than 1400....
PM’s Friend vs CM’s Friend:
A few days ago, PM Modi’s school friend met him in Delhi and complained that his land had been captured by a company called Seven Eleven.
Seven Eleven is owned by BJP MLA Narendra Mehta is close friend of CM, who runs the Mira Bhayandar Corporation.
PM Modi’s friend said he was not getting any help from the police or the corporation because of Narendra Mehta’s influence.
He requested a CBI inquiry, saying he had lost faith in the Maharashtra Police.
The Mira Bhayandar Corporation then swung into action and called for a hearing on 16 September.
A day before the hearing, Seven Eleven submitted that the matter had been resolved and withdrew its claim over the land belonging to PM Modi’s friend.
PM’s friend won. CM’s friend lost.
Perfect example of: Hacker meets Developer! 😭