Murali Duggineni

Murali Duggineni

Can jamun trees foretell a drought?

This year, many parts of India are witnessing an unusually abundant crop of jamun (Syzygium cumini). As photos of heavily laden trees circulate on social media, so do claims that the trees are “predicting” a drought next year and are…

Decoding “Sanata Dharma” for the modern world

These days, we hear the term Sanatana Dharma in political speeches, primetime debates, and conversations about Indian culture, spirituality, and identity. Yet many people are unsure what it actually means. The phrase comes from two Sanskrit words. Sanatana means eternal…

Why a backlog is good news for business

Today, the word backlog often brings to mind unfinished exam papers, pending tasks, or work piling up. Yet its origin tells a surprisingly positive story. Before stoves, lighters, or even matches, families kept a kitchen fire alive around the clock.…

Why are distractions called red herrings?

A red herring is a misleading clue, argument, or piece of information that distracts people from the real issue. The term is widely used in detective fiction, debates, politics, and everyday conversations to describe an intentional diversion from the truth.…

The story of Amrutanjan and its visionary founder

Long before television commercials, social media campaigns, and celebrity endorsements, a small yellow balm won the trust of millions through word of mouth and free samples at public gatherings. Introduced in 1893 by freedom fighter, entrepreneur, and journalist Kasinadhuni Nageswara…

How “brownie points” earned their name

Brownie points are imaginary credits earned for helpful or commendable acts, often to gain approval or favor rather than a real reward. Examples include helping a colleague meet a deadline or remembering an important anniversary. In use The expression originated…

Why we become strangers to ourselves

Why do so many people remain unhappy despite living in an age of unprecedented comfort, convenience, and opportunity? This question has occupied philosophers for centuries. While their answers differed in detail, many arrived at a similar conclusion: human misery is…

How a ball bearing brand became Volvo

Volvo is known for building some of the world’s safest and most respected cars. But have you ever wondered what the name Volvo actually means? The name Volvo comes from the Latin word volvere, meaning “to roll.” Volvo translates as…

What does TDS in water really mean?

If you’ve ever checked a water purifier or water quality report, you’ve probably come across the term TDS, which stands for Total Dissolved Solids. It measures the amount of dissolved minerals, salts, and other inorganic substances present in water, usually…