Accidental Discoveries
How a cow’s blister saved humanity
Did you know the word vaccine traces its roots to the Latin vaccinus, meaning “of or from cows.” Ever wondered
Murali Duggineni
October 13, 2025
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
My Blogs
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- Accidental Discoveries (12)
- Art & Culture (83)
- BackStory (221)
- Blog (28)
- Branding (43)
- Business (11)
- Career Development (9)
- Education (23)
- Entrepreneurship (33)
- Etymology (71)
- Food (23)
- Geographical Indications (14)
- Heritage (81)
- History (103)
- India (125)
- Initiatives (29)
- Innovation (8)
- Marcom (30)
- Medicine (2)
- Miscellaneous (44)
- Mythology (25)
- Social Impact (20)
- Sports (1)
- Technology (14)
- Travel & Tourism (41)
- Wildlife (3)
Etymology
The bundle of sticks that inspired the Word “Fascism”
Fascism is a political system in which a single leader or ruling party holds absolute authority and tolerates no opposition. It
Murali Duggineni
October 12, 2025
BackStory
Why “Red Tapism” is synonymous with bureaucratic delays
Red tapism means having too many rules, approvals, and formal steps that make it slow and difficult to get things
Murali Duggineni
October 11, 2025
BackStory
Why we say “Break a Leg” instead of “Good Luck”
The idiom “break a leg” means “good luck” and is most famously used in the theater world. Wishing someone good
Murali Duggineni
October 7, 2025
BackStory
Why “Happy Hour” started at Sea, not in a Bar
Did you know the term “happy hour” as used today for late-afternoon or early-evening discounted drinks and snacks in bars
Murali Duggineni
October 5, 2025
History
Why Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s name became a byword for foolishness
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1325 to 1351, is one of the most controversial figures in
Murali Duggineni
September 20, 2025
India
How Kos Minars guided travelers in Medieval India
Kos Minars are medieval milestones that once dotted the highways of northern India. The name combines “kos,” a traditional unit
Murali Duggineni
September 19, 2025
Art & Culture
How did Carnatic music get its name?
Carnatic, the classical musical tradition of South India, derives its name not directly from the state of Karnataka, but from
Murali Duggineni
September 18, 2025
Art & Culture
Decoding “Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam” in Tirumala
Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam is a purification ceremony undertaken at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. The term literally means “cleaning
Murali Duggineni
September 17, 2025
Art & Culture
Remembering M. S. Subbulakshmi on her birth anniversary
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, popularly known as M. S. Subbulakshmi, was born on September 16, 1916, in Madurai. Her mother, Shanmukhavadivu,
Murali Duggineni
September 16, 2025
Etymology
The story behind “diaspora”
The word “diaspora” refers to people living outside their ancestral or native land, and the communities formed by such people. It also
Murali Duggineni
September 15, 2025
Etymology
How Zeno’s loss sparked the philosophy of Stoicism
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches self-mastery, fortitude, and the pursuit of virtue. It was founded in the
Murali Duggineni
September 14, 2025
India
How Agartala got its name
Did you know Agartala, the capital of Tripura, derives its name from the aromatic agarwood trees (Aquilaria malaccensis) that once
Murali Duggineni
September 13, 2025
BackStory
Why do ACB traps use pink-colored bottles?
The pink-colored bottles seen in Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) traps may look ordinary, but they play a crucial role in scientifically
Murali Duggineni
September 11, 2025
Education
The Healing Symbol Doctors Should Use
Two ancient symbols are often associated with medicine: the Rod of Asclepius and the Caduceus. The Rod of Asclepius, a
Murali Duggineni
September 10, 2025
Art & Culture
What makes the Kailasa Temple at Ellora unique
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora in Maharashtra is one of the most extraordinary achievements of ancient Indian architecture. Designated as
Murali Duggineni
September 7, 2025
Art & Culture
Why Lord Ganesha’s Idol is Immersed After Ten Days
During Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chavithi, devotees bring home or install Lord Ganesha’s idol and worship him for ten days, marking his
Murali Duggineni
September 6, 2025
Education
Why Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s Birthday is Observed as Teachers’ Day
Every year on September 5, India celebrates Teachers’ Day to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of the nation’s most respected
Murali Duggineni
September 5, 2025
BackStory
Why September still means “seven”
Did you know September derives its name from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” reflecting its position as the seventh
Murali Duggineni
September 1, 2025
Art & Culture
Ganesh Chaturthi: From Freedom Struggle to National Celebration
Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, holds deep cultural as well as political significance in modern
Murali Duggineni
August 27, 2025
Indian Cities
Why Jaipur is called the “Pink City”
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, earns its title of “Pink City” from the warm rose-colored façades that dominate its historic
Murali Duggineni
August 26, 2025
Indian Cities
Why Jodhpur is the Blue City
Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s second-largest city, is known as the “Blue City” for the cluster of azure houses surrounding the 15th-century Mehrangarh
Murali Duggineni
August 25, 2025
Art & Culture
Why Pondur Khadi owes its texture to a fish bone
Pondur, a small town in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, is renowed for its centuries-old tradition of producing khadi of exceptional
Murali Duggineni
August 24, 2025
Food
When Draupadi invented the first Pani Puri!
Pani puri, known as gol gappe in North India, phuchka in Bengal, gupchup in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, is one of
Murali Duggineni
August 23, 2025
Travel & Tourism
The carved wonders of Unakoti, Tripura
Unakoti, in Tripura’s Unakoti district, is an ancient Shaivite pilgrimage and archaeological marvel, famed for its colossal rock-cut sculptures and
Murali Duggineni
August 22, 2025
Education
Aphelion: Earth’s farthest point from the Sun
Aphelion is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when Earth is at the farthest point in its orbit around the Sun.
Murali Duggineni
August 21, 2025
BackStory
Why “crown Shyness” is nature’s way of social distancing
If you walk through certain forests and glance upward, you might notice something unusual: the treetops don’t always form a
Murali Duggineni
August 20, 2025
Art & Culture
Sallekhana – The Jain practice of peaceful fasting to death
Sallekhana, also known as Santhara, is a voluntary Jain religious vow of gradually reducing food and water intake with the
Murali Duggineni
August 19, 2025
Food
The curious case of the Bombay Duck
Bombay duck is not a duck but a lizardfish (Harpadon nehereus) found in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal,
Murali Duggineni
August 18, 2025
Travel & Tourism
Arichal Munai – Where water bodies collide and legends meet
Arichal Munai, meaning “erosion point” in Tamil, marks the southeastern tip of Rameswaram Island and is considered the final edge
Murali Duggineni
August 17, 2025
Food
The “secret ingredient” behind Bikaner’s iconic snack!
The word bhujia (also spelled bhujiya) comes from the Hindi verb bhun-na, which means “to roast” or “to sauté.” In
Murali Duggineni
August 16, 2025
India
Why India’s Independence Day falls on August 15?
On August 15, 1947, India finally broke free from British colonial rule, but why was this specific date chosen? The decision
Murali Duggineni
August 15, 2025
BackStory
How Dongri gave the world Dungarees
Dungarees are a type of durable cotton garment, commonly recognized as bib and brace overalls or trousers. They were originally
Murali Duggineni
August 14, 2025
Food
Jigarthanda – Madurai’s iconic “cool heart” drink
Jigarthanda is a chilled milk‑based beverage that originated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The name comes from the Urdu/Persian word “jigar,” which
Murali Duggineni
August 13, 2025
Food
The coffee that travels through a civet to become a luxury
Kopi Luwak is one of the world’s most expensive and unusual coffees, originating mainly from Indonesia. Its uniqueness lies in
Murali Duggineni
August 12, 2025
Food
Understanding A1 and A2 milk, what makes them different
Cow’s milk contains several proteins, the most abundant of which is casein (which forms the structure of curds in cheese
Murali Duggineni
August 11, 2025
India
The role of “Ganga Jal” in crossing the seas
In 1914, as the First World War raged, the British Empire needed more than rifles and rations: it needed soldiers.
Murali Duggineni
August 10, 2025
Mythology
Why devotees offer oil to Shani Deva
The ritual of offering oil to Shani Deva, the deity representing the planet Saturn, has its roots in both mythology
Murali Duggineni
August 9, 2025
Art & Culture
Bobbili Veena – A legacy carved in wood and sound
The Bobbili Veena is a musical instrument from Andhra Pradesh, prized for its rich tonal depth and craftsmanship. Its origins trace to
Murali Duggineni
August 8, 2025
Food
How Ashok Vaidya gave Mumbai its most famous street food
Vada Pav is often described as Mumbai’s most iconic street snack. Ashok Vaidya is widely credited with creating it in 1966,
Murali Duggineni
August 7, 2025