Mawlynnong, located in Meghalaya, is the cleanest village in Asia. Situated about 90 kilometres from Shillong, it is nestled in the East Khasi Hills, where the villagers live in harmony with nature. In 2005, the Discover India magazine accorded it the status of the cleanest village in Asia. Mawlynnong has a matrilineal society, and agriculture is the …
Since ancient times cotton was spun in India with matchless skill. It is said that the delicate cotton from India was worn by Roman emperors who referred to it as ‘woven wind’. Mughal emperors fondly called the cotton ‘morning dew’ and ‘running water’.
The banyan tree, or Indian fig tree (Ficus benghalensis), is considered a symbol of immortality and is mentioned in many Indian myths and legends. This self-renewing plant is India’s national tree. The tree can grow up to several hectares using its prop roots, which grow down from the tree trunk into woody structures.
On 20 November 2011, one of the four pairs of Vivek Express trains began serving between Dibrugarh in Assam and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, joining the Northeast with the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent. The Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express currently holds the record for being the longest running train route in the country in terms of both distance …
The history of commercial and civil aviation in India dates back to 18 February, 1911. Frenchman Henri Pequet flew a biplane from Allahabad to Naini with about 6,500 letters to deliver. He covered the 10 km distance between the two cities in 13 minutes. This is considered the world’s first official airmail service. In 1912, Indian Air Services Ltd collaborated …
Plastic surgery is the fad of the era among celebrities today. The term ‘plastic’ comes from the Greek word plastikos which means ‘to mould or shape’. Plastic surgeries using modern techniques gained popularity not until 20th century. Nevertheless, the idea has existed since ancient times. The history of surgical sciences credits the ancient Indian physician Sushruta as the first ‘surgeon’ …
