Category BackStory

The inner surgery that no ritual can replace

Across cultures and religions, places of worship draw millions of devotees every year. Some wait hours to secure the first glimpse of the deity. Others pay for special access, complete countless pradakshinas, or undertake physically demanding rituals with remarkable endurance.…

How the Gunter chain changed land surveying forever

Long before laser rangefinders, GPS, and digital surveying instruments, land was measured with an ingenious device called the Gunter chain. For more than three centuries, it was the standard surveying tool across Britain, North America, and much of the British…

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…