BackStory
How an Italian tonic became an Indian icon
Bisleri is synonymous with packaged drinking water in India, much like Xerox is for photocopying. But did you know its
Murali Duggineni
March 28, 2026
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
My Blogs
My Stories
- Accidental Discoveries (14)
- Art & Culture (116)
- BackStory (316)
- Blog (35)
- Branding (47)
- Business (51)
- Career Development (9)
- Education (27)
- Entrepreneurship (36)
- Etymology (100)
- Food (27)
- Geographical Indications (15)
- Heritage (87)
- History (119)
- India (149)
- Initiatives (29)
- Innovation (11)
- Marcom (30)
- Medicine (3)
- Miscellaneous (64)
- Mythology (32)
- Social Impact (22)
- Sports (2)
- Technology (49)
- Travel & Tourism (49)
- Wildlife (6)
Sports
Why is a Marathon exactly 26.2 miles?
A marathon is a long-distance footrace of 26.2 miles (42.195 km), or any demanding test of endurance. The event commemorates the
Murali Duggineni
March 27, 2026
BackStory
Gold Demystified: Karats, Purity, and the Truth Behind Hallmarking
Gold prices may swing wildly, but what often remains misunderstood is the metal itself. When someone says “22K” or “916,”
Murali Duggineni
March 26, 2026
BackStory
How did the “Ceded Districts” get their name
The “Ceded Districts” in Andhra Pradesh refers to a group of territories that were ceded (formally handed over) by the
Murali Duggineni
March 25, 2026
Travel & Tourism
Did yellow walls keep tigers away? the Pilibhit story
Located in Uttar Pradesh, near the India–Nepal border, Pilibhit lies in the fertile Terai belt at the foothills of the
Murali Duggineni
March 24, 2026
History
The Punkah-Wallah: the human engine behind colonial comfort
During the British colonial era in India, and long before the hum of air conditioning, coping with the subcontinent’s intense
Murali Duggineni
March 23, 2026
Business
Why the world watches the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor separating Iran to the north from Oman and the UAE to
Murali Duggineni
March 22, 2026
Art & Culture
The Significance of 786 in Islamic Culture
In many South Asian Muslim communities, the number 786 is a common sight, appearing on storefronts, letterheads, and even license
Murali Duggineni
March 21, 2026
BackStory
Why the “Third Degree” Feels So Intense
The term “third degree” refers to an intensive, often grueling interrogation used to extract information or a confession from the
Murali Duggineni
March 20, 2026
Art & Culture
Understanding Ugadi and the Six Different Tastes of Life
Ugadi, derived from the Sanskrit Yuga (era or age) and Adi (beginning),” marks the beginning of a new era. The
Murali Duggineni
March 19, 2026
Food
A Cup Across Continents: The Story of Irani Chai
Walk through any lane of Hyderabad or Secunderabad, and you will find the ubiquitous Irani café serving Irani chai. This
Murali Duggineni
March 18, 2026
Innovation
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying an AC
Summer is the time when many consider purchasing ACs. We often hear terms like 1 ton, 1.5 ton, and inverter
Murali Duggineni
March 17, 2026
Business
How Crude Oil Becomes LPG, Petrol, Diesel, Jet Fuel and More
Crude oil, often called “black gold,” is the lifeblood of modern civilization. It is a naturally occurring liquid hydrocarbon found
Murali Duggineni
March 16, 2026
BackStory
The Accidental Discovery of LPG and the Science Behind the Cylinder
As a severe supply crunch forces hotels and hostels across cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru to suspend operations, the critical
Murali Duggineni
March 15, 2026
Food
How a Maratha Prince Gave Sambar its Name!
Few South Indian dishes are as beloved as sambar. This tangy stew of lentils and vegetables, the familiar partner to
Murali Duggineni
March 14, 2026
Miscellaneous
Why the World Fears Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th occupies a peculiar corner of human psychology. The dread surrounding it has a formal name: paraskevidekatriaphobia, derived from
Murali Duggineni
March 13, 2026
Food
Hyderabad’s Stone-Grilled Classic: Pathar-ka-Gosht
Hailing from the regal kitchens of Hyderabad, Pathar-ka-Gosht is a masterclass in culinary improvisation. Literally meaning “meat on stone” when
Murali Duggineni
March 12, 2026
Art & Culture
How did the “blazer” get its name
The lines between formal and casual have blurred, yet one garment remains the ultimate bridge. It’s the blazer. Unlike a
Murali Duggineni
March 11, 2026
BackStory
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right?
It all comes down to history, horses, and Napoleon. For centuries, most travelers rode or drove on the left. Long
Murali Duggineni
March 10, 2026
BackStory
Bougainvillea: the plant that wears its colors on its leaves
Walk past a bougainvillea in full bloom and you might assume those vivid, papery bursts of pink, purple, orange, or
Murali Duggineni
March 9, 2026
History
Diogenes, cynicism, and the hunt for integrity
A brief look at one of antiquity’s most provocative thinkers and the expression his legend inspired. Diogenes of Sinope (c.
Murali Duggineni
March 8, 2026
BackStory
Inside the “kitchen cabinet” of power
Not every consequential conversation happens in a boardroom. Some can happen in the kitchen! The phrase kitchen cabinet refers to
Murali Duggineni
March 7, 2026
BackStory
DMD: a rare diagnosis, and expensive hope
We often see news stories about a child diagnosed with DMD, with families turning to crowdfunding and kind strangers to
Murali Duggineni
March 6, 2026
BackStory
Why “in the doldrums” means feeling stuck
Some expressions carry entire histories within them. In the doldrums is one such, born from the hardships of ocean navigation
Murali Duggineni
March 5, 2026
BackStory
How often is “once in a blue moon”?
“I watch movies once in a blue moon.”“Why did you buy such an expensive device when you use it once
Murali Duggineni
March 4, 2026
Etymology
What is petrichor, why it smells so good
Petrichor is the distinctive scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. The word was coined in 1964 by Australian scientists
Murali Duggineni
March 3, 2026
Etymology
Pandora’s Box and the trouble we can’t undo
To “open a Pandora’s box” is to do something that seems small or harmless but releases many unforeseen problems. It’s
Murali Duggineni
March 2, 2026
India
What 22 Rapido rides taught me about dignity, bias, and survival
I wanted to get a first-hand experience of the work that many of us depend on every single day but
Murali Duggineni
March 1, 2026
Etymology
How “personality” evolved from stage masks to human identity
Personality is a set of individual emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that make a person unique. The word carries the history
Murali Duggineni
February 28, 2026
Etymology
How “quisling” became a synonym for betrayal
A quisling is a person who betrays their own country by collaborating with an enemy, especially during wartime occupation. The
Murali Duggineni
February 27, 2026
BackStory
The sinister story behind the Derrick crane
When engineers speak of a derrick—that towering crane-like structure used to hoist machinery, drilling equipment, or cargo—few pause to consider its
Murali Duggineni
February 26, 2026
BackStory
What makes Alphonso so exceptionally prized
The Alphonso mango (Mangifera indica cv. Alphonso), known locally as Hapus, is considered among the finest mango varieties in the world. What sets
Murali Duggineni
February 25, 2026
India
The drug that emptied Indian skies!
Growing up, I walked three km each way to school every day. Along the way, it was common to see
Murali Duggineni
February 24, 2026
India
Bengaluru’s pink paradise: Neginhal’s blooming legacy before Ugadi
Every year, a month before Ugadi, Bengaluru sheds its concrete cloak and blushes pink. Streets turn into dreamy canopies of
Murali Duggineni
February 23, 2026
Art & Culture
The moment Siddhartha became the Buddha
After forty-nine days of deep meditation under the Bodhi tree, Siddhartha Gautama achieved full enlightenment. His first words were not
Murali Duggineni
February 22, 2026
BackStory
Cracking the shell: Why the world is your oyster
After graduating, she realized the world was her oyster as she had multiple offers. With the new funding, the budding
Murali Duggineni
February 21, 2026
BackStory
From grain storage to office politics: “working in silos”
The expression “working in silos” comes from agriculture. A silo is a tall, sealed structure used to store grain or
Murali Duggineni
February 20, 2026
Etymology
A lampoon that launched a word
A pasquinade is a satirical piece of writing, a lampoon or public mockery, typically posted or published anonymously and aimed at a
Murali Duggineni
February 19, 2026
Etymology
The sacred boundary of the word “profane”
Long before the word “profane” carried its modern meaning of disrespect or vulgarity, it described something far more literal —
Murali Duggineni
February 18, 2026