May 1, 2017 marks the 1000th birth anniversary of Saint Ramanuja, the Acharya who gave the Navagranthas to the world.
Ramanuja's philosophical foundation was qualified monism, and is called Vishishtadvaita in the Hindu tradition.
The Visishtadvaita System was originally expounded by Bodhayana, written about 400 B.C.
The Visishtadvaita is so called because it inculcates the Advaita (or oneness of God) with Visesha (or attributes). It is, therefore, qualified monism.
God alone exists. All else that is seen are His manifestations or attributes.
His ideas are one of three subschools in Vedanta. The other two are known as Adi Shankara's Advaita (absolute monism) and Madhvacharya's Dvaita (dualism).
His theories assert that there exists a plurality and distinction between Atman (soul) and Brahman (metaphysical, ultimate reality).
Baltic and International Maritime Council
BIMCO is the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners.
Its membership controls around 65% of the world’s tonnage and it has members in more than 120 countries, including managers, brokers and agents.
Its main objective is to protect its global membership through the provision of information and advice, and while promoting fair business practices, facilitate harmonisation and standardization of commercial shipping practices and contracts.
BIMCO is accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations organs.
It also conducts various training programmes around the world for the Maritime Community.
Tiger Relocation
Six tigers would be relocated to the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in north Bengal from neighbouring Assam as part of a plan for augmentation of the tiger population in the reserve.
The tiger reserve has suffered from shortage of frontline staff, lack of protection, large-scale illegal grazing, forest fires, constant anthropogenic pressure, widespread tree felling and dolomite mining.
The technical committee of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given its approval for the augmentation of the tiger population in Buxa.
The relocation of wild tigers should only be considered when the factors, such as poaching and anthropogenic pressure, that have caused the low population and local extirpation of the species have been addressed.
There are 50 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger which is administered by the NTCA. India is home to 70% of tigers in the world. And, the total number of wild tigers have gone upto 3890 in 2016 according to WWF and global tiger forum.
Chand Baori
Chand Baori is a stepwell situated in the village of Abhaneri near Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Said to be an upside-down pyramid, this baori was built between the 9th and 10th century by Raja Chanda of the Chauhan dynasty.
It has 3,500 steps built on 13 levels, and with the most amazing symmetry as they taper down to meet the water pool.
At the bottom of the well, the air remains 5-6 degrees cooler than at the surface, and Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat.
The baori was attached to the Harshat Mata temple. It was a ritual to wash hands and feet at the well before visiting the temple.
The temple was razed during the 10th century, but its remains still boast architectural and sculptural styles of ancient India. Later, the Mughals added galleries and a compound wall around the well.
