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Malaysia 101: The Majestic Batu Caves: History, Celebrations and the Giant Lord Murugan Statue

In the 1950s, Batu Caves was already a significant site for the Tamil Hindu community in Malaysia, with the annual Thaipusam festival being celebrated since the late 19th century. The caves, with their stunning natural limestone formations, had been a place of worship and pilgrimage for decades. During this time, the area surrounding Batu Caves began to develop, although it was not as built up as…

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Military 101: The Power of the Indian Navy: The Latest Destroyers' Capabilities and Arsenal

INS Kolkata is the lead ship of the Kolkata-class stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy and was designed & built in India. Launched in 2006 and commissioned in 2014, it represents a significant advancement in the Indian Navy’s surface warfare capabilities. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including the BrahMos missiles (being test-fired above) and…

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Tamil Movie Review: Ghilli 2004: A Pioneering Unstoppable Force in Tamil Cinema

‘Ghilli’ is a groundbreaking film in the realm of Tamil cinema, released 20 years ago in 2004. Helmed by renowned director Dharani, this action-packed drama features eminent stars such as Vijay in the lead role, supported by the talented Trisha Krishnan. The film follows the gripping tale of a daring kabaddi player named Velu, portrayed by Vijay, who becomes entangled in a high-stakes rescue…

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Nature 101: Mastering Precious And Limited Water Resource Management

A primary goal in national water resource management strategies is to augment water reserves, ensuring a sustainable supply for various needs. Concurrently, it’s crucial to minimize non-revenue water—water that is produced but not billed due to factors like leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies. By addressing these challenges, countries can promote water conservation, improve service delivery,…

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Health 101: Pranayama Breathing - History, Steps, and Benefits

Breathing is a fundamental aspect of meditation that can significantly enhance the practice. Correct breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, help achieve deep relaxation and mindfulness. Experts often suggest starting with deep breaths to settle the mind and then transitioning to natural breathing, allowing the body to dictate the rhythm. This approach encourages a connection…

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Blogging 101: Artificial Intelligence - Maximizing Content Quality and Efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. In the real world, AI applications are diverse and widespread, ranging from advanced web search engines, recommendation systems, and voice or handwriting…

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Military 101: Stealth Fighter Planes - Strategical & Powerful Military Asset

In July 2024, China unveiled its new “J-31B” stealth fighter, also known as the FC-31 Gyrfalcon. This advanced aircraft is poised to rival the United States F-35 stealth fighter in capabilities. The development of the J-31B stealth fighter represents a significant milestone in China’s aviation technology, showcasing the country’s growing expertise in creating sophisticated military aircraft. The…

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Economy 101: BlackRock Investment Company - Critical Information

BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager, has a diverse portfolio that includes significant stakes in some of the largest companies globally. As of early 2024, their top equity holdings encompass leading tech firms such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Additionally, it owns several investment management and technology platforms, having acquired companies like Merrill Lynch…

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Military 101: Malaysian and ASEAN Powerful Armoured Personnel Carriers

The now retired SIBMAS 6×6 stands as the premier wheel-based armoured personnel carrier (APC) of its time, though it now shows signs of aging. Remarkably, the Malaysian Armed Forces procured 186 units in the 1980s, making a significant investment based on a prototype model that had yet to be tested in combat. Image source: Wikipedia. Continue reading Military 101: Malaysian and ASEAN Powerful…

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 4 - Modern Findings & Evidences

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita is a central text of Hindu philosophy and a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is presented as a dialogue between the prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. This dialogue occurs on the battlefield just before the start of a great war, where Arjuna is in a moral crisis about the violence and death the war will cause.…

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 3 - The Brutal & Decisive Kurukshetra War

The Kurukshetra War, central to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, was a colossal battle fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two factions of a royal family vying for the throne of Hastinapura. The battle took place at Kurukshetra, Haryana, India, just over 100 km north of New Dehli, on the way to Chandigarh. This war also serves as the backdrop for the sacred Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna…

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 2 - The Essential Protagonists

In the 2013 television adaptation of the Mahabharata, titled ‘Mahabharat’, the epic’s narrative centers around the Pandavas, consisting of the five brothers Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, along with their shared spouse, Draupadi. This retelling brings to life the ancient tale, weaving the complex relationships and moral dilemmas faced by these central characters. Image source:…

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Religion 101: Mahabharata Part 1 - The Beginning Of An Ancient History

Lord Krishna is a pivotal figure in Hinduism, revered as the eighth avatar of the god Vishnu and also worshipped as a supreme deity in his own right. His life and teachings are celebrated in various Hindu texts, most notably the Mahabharata, where he serves as a charioteer and guide to the prince Arjuna, imparting the spiritual wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. Image source: Oleg Churakov on…

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Technology 101: Star Trek Part 3 - Exploring the Impressive Technology in Starships

The concept of beam technology, as depicted in Star Trek’s Transporter, remains a work of science fiction. In the series, the transporter converts a person or object into an energy pattern, and then beams it to a target location where it is reconverted into matter. Image source: Unsplash/Wonderlane Continue reading Technology 101: Star Trek Part 3 – Exploring the Impressive Technology…

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Technology 101: Star Trek Part 1 - Exploring the Iconic Starfleet Starships

Star Trek is an iconic science fiction franchise that began with the original television series in 1966, created by Gene Roddenberry. It follows the interstellar adventures of the USS Enterprise, a starship tasked with exploring new worlds and seeking out new life and civilizations. Image source: Unsplash/Wonderlane Continue reading Technology 101: Star Trek Part 1 – Exploring the Iconic…

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Military 101: National Security Guard (NSG) - India's Elite Counter Terrorist Force

The Indian Armed Forces, alongside the National Security Guard or NSG, boast several elite special forces units, including the renowned Para SF, or Indian Para Commandos. This unit gained widespread recognition following its depiction in the 2019 Bollywood film “URI: The Surgical Strike.” Established in 1966, the Para SF is adept in a multitude of mission types, such as direct action, hostage…

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History 101: Justice Bao: A Symbol of Fairness and Justice

“Justice Bao,” a Taiwanese television series spanning 236 episodes, originally broadcast on the Chinese Television System (CTS) between February 1993 and January 1994, featured the renowned Taiwanese actor Jin Chao-chun. He portrayed the iconic and intrepid official Bao Zheng from the Song dynasty, bringing to life the tales of justice and integrity that have resonated through time. Image source:…