Science
How are cyclones named? The science and system behind the names
Cyclones Arnab and Murasu, which recently made headlines in India, have names that sound unusual but are part of a
Murali Duggineni
November 12, 2026
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Murali Duggineni
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
My Blogs
My Stories
- Accidental Discoveries (18)
- Art & Culture (199)
- BackStory (466)
- Blog (43)
- Branding (67)
- Business (106)
- Career Development (10)
- Design (17)
- Education (48)
- Entrepreneurship (46)
- Etymology (158)
- Food (42)
- Geographical Indications (17)
- Heritage (108)
- History (185)
- India (183)
- Initiatives (30)
- Innovation (17)
- Marcom (50)
- Medicine (5)
- Miscellaneous (127)
- Mythology (40)
- Reflections (13)
- Science (16)
- Social Impact (28)
- Sports (5)
- Technology (56)
- Travel & Tourism (58)
- Wildlife (9)
Art & Culture
The story and symbolism behind the saffron flag
Fire has occupied a place of immense significance in Hindu tradition since the Vedic age. Revered as Agni, it was
Murali Duggineni
November 11, 2026
Art & Culture
Kukur Tihar: a day dedicated to man’s best friend
While Diwali celebrations across India revolve around lights, sweets and fireworks, Nepal has a rather heartwarming tradition that puts the
Murali Duggineni
November 10, 2026
Food
Why is it called motichoor laddu?
Yesterday, a visit to a sweet shop during Deepavali set me thinking about one particular sweet. Among the many varieties
Murali Duggineni
November 9, 2026
Art & Culture
Why do we celebrate Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals. Derived from the Sanskrit words dīpa (lamp)
Murali Duggineni
November 8, 2026
Reflections
A little book, a lifetime of memories
Every year, around this time, I take stock of my books. It is an annual exercise in letting go. I
Murali Duggineni
November 7, 2026
Design
Why are Herman Miller chairs so expensive?
A Herman Miller office chair can cost several times more than an ordinary office chair. Yet businesses and professionals around
Murali Duggineni
November 6, 2026
BackStory
What does “broke” mean?
The word broke is commonly used to describe someone who has run out of money or is financially unable to
Murali Duggineni
November 5, 2026
Design
The clever trick Indian Railways uses to prevent fan theft!
Stealing a ceiling fan from an Indian Railways coach is hardly worth the effort, thanks to a clever anti-theft measure
Murali Duggineni
November 4, 2026
Etymology
The nymph who lost her voice but gave us an echo
The word echo refers to the repetition or reflection of sound when sound waves bounce off a surface and return
Murali Duggineni
November 3, 2026
BackStory
Why do some people wear a semicolon tattoo?
A small punctuation mark has become a powerful symbol of hope, and the decision to keep living. It is the
Murali Duggineni
November 2, 2026
Art & Culture
Zen: the art of finding peace within
A student once asked his master, “What is Zen?” The master smiled, poured tea into a cup, and continued pouring
Murali Duggineni
November 1, 2026
Miscellaneous
Why do some countries change their clocks twice a year?
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, many Americans woke up an hour later than usual—or, more precisely, enjoyed an extra hour
Murali Duggineni
October 31, 2026
Science
How car airbags deploy in a split second
Airbags protect occupants by inflating in a fraction of a second during a serious crash. The system does not react
Murali Duggineni
October 25, 2026
Etymology
Why is social discrimination called stigma?
The word stigma refers to a mark of shame, disgrace or social disapproval associated with a person, group or condition.
Murali Duggineni
October 24, 2026
Science
What are biomes? Understanding earth’s natural habitats
Why do towering trees thrive in some parts of the world, while cacti survive in others? Why are certain regions
Murali Duggineni
October 19, 2026
Science
Why do we measure engine power in horsepower?
A car engine rated at 100 HP and a railway locomotive rated at 6,000 HP have something in common: both
Murali Duggineni
October 18, 2026
Science
The mystery behind the tiny bulge on your HDMI cable
You may have noticed a small cylindrical bulge attached to an HDMI cable, laptop charger or computer power cord? It
Murali Duggineni
October 17, 2026
Reflections
The ironies of modern living
We often measure progress by the conveniences we bring into our homes and the lifestyle we can afford. Water purifiers,
Murali Duggineni
October 15, 2026
Technology
What a 200-year-old illustration reveals about AI agents
Recently, I was flipping through AI Agents in Action by Michael Lanham. Inside the book, there’s an interesting detail about
Murali Duggineni
October 11, 2026
BackStory
The weed that refused to leave India
It looks harmless, even attractive, with its delicate green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers. But beneath its innocent
Murali Duggineni
October 10, 2026
BackStory
Understanding the generations through the years
People born in different decades are classified as Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z or Generation Alpha. These labels
Murali Duggineni
October 10, 2026
Reflections
A marketing lesson from a two-year old
Recently, I wrote my second book, Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatam. It’s a bold attempt to simplify the sacred hymn and make
Murali Duggineni
October 9, 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
October 7, 2026
Science
El Niño and La Niña explained
Rains are failing, crops are suffering, and many people blame El Niño. Yet few understand what it actually is or
Murali Duggineni
October 4, 2026
BackStory
Why do stores put fragrances near the entrance?
Walk into a department store, and it’s not surprising to find fragrance and beauty sections positioned near the entrance. This
Murali Duggineni
October 3, 2026
India
The man who owned little, but stood tall
October 2 is remembered for Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. It is also the birth anniversary of another remarkable Indian whose
Murali Duggineni
October 2, 2026
Accidental Discoveries
The Guntur eclipse that revealed helium
Widely used to fill balloons because it is lighter than air, did you know helium gets its name from the
Murali Duggineni
October 1, 2026
Reflections
The sweetest lesson I learned from a Tirupati Laddu
This incident happened about ten years ago. I visited the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala with my family. After the
Murali Duggineni
September 30, 2026
Art & Culture
Buddha and Bodhisattva: what is the difference?
The simplest way to understand the difference between a Buddha and a Bodhisattva is this: a Buddha is one who
Murali Duggineni
September 26, 2026
Art & Culture
Understanding Padmapani, the lotus-bearing Bodhisattva of Ajanta
Step into Cave 1 of Ajanta in Maharashtra, and you will find one of India’s most celebrated paintings: the serene
Murali Duggineni
September 20, 2026
BackStory
The pigeons that became an obsession
Walk through the older parts of Hyderabad, and you may hear the flutter of wings before you notice the pigeons.
Murali Duggineni
September 19, 2026
Art & Culture
Why is Lord Ganesha offered durva
Among the many offerings made to Lord Ganesha, durva grass holds a special place. Its association comes from the story
Murali Duggineni
September 17, 2026
Art & Culture
MS Blue: the saree that became an icon
September 16 marks the birth anniversary of M.S. Subbulakshmi (1916), one of India’s most celebrated Carnatic vocalists. Her music carried
Murali Duggineni
September 16, 2026
Art & Culture
In search of Ganesha beyond the celebration
There was a time when Ganesh Chaturthi carried a bigger purpose that went well beyond the rituals of the day.
Murali Duggineni
September 15, 2026
Art & Culture
The story behind the Carnatic masterpiece “Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje”
Few Carnatic compositions capture the spirit of Lord Ganesha as beautifully as “Vatapi Ganapatim Bhajeham.” Its opening phrases are familiar
Murali Duggineni
September 14, 2026
BackStory
How “gaslighting” can make someone doubt themselves
Have you ever been told, “that never happened,” when you clearly remember that it did? Or been made to feel
Murali Duggineni
September 13, 2026
India
Indigo: the dye that made farmers rebel
Indigo is a dye obtained traditionally from plants of the Indigofera genus. It has been used for thousands of years
Murali Duggineni
September 6, 2026
BackStory
Occam’s razor: a simple rule for better thinking
When something goes wrong, our minds often search for complicated reasons when a simple one is right in front of
Murali Duggineni
September 5, 2026
BackStory
Why playing a second fiddle means taking a backseat?
To “play second fiddle to someone” means to occupy a secondary or less important position, especially when another person receives
Murali Duggineni
September 3, 2026