Soham Agarwal > Recent Status Updates

There are 5 blue zones in the world: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica and Ikaria, Greece. In Okinawa people eat less (80%), tend to use less motor vehicles and form small groups or moai for emotional and financial stability. Book advises moderate alcohol consumption is good for health. To avoid stress, Okinawans know how to manage their time.

The book dives into the question about the secret to longevity of Japanese people. Okinawa and Ogimi boast the highest life expectancy in the world. It has something to do with their lifestyle, which they call ikigai (生き甲斐).

The boy has reached the pyramids but now knows the real location of treasure!

Santiago has learned many important lessons. His adventures took him from the quiet and serene life in Andalusia to the busy continent of Africa and subsequently to the crystal merchant's shop and the oasis. He made many friends on the way

Santiago, a young shepherd from the plains of Andalusia wants to go to Egypt to realise his destiny. He was guided by a mysterious old man named Melchizedek, who claimed to be the king of Salem. He has set foot in Africa but he is facing a hard time after getting cheated of his money and very little belongings.

From Mughals to Muhammad Shah to Nader Shah to Ahmed Shah Durrani

The baburnama estimated the worth of the diamond at 2 and a half days of food required by the world. Humayun had said this diamond cannot be purchased. It is to be either won in battle or to be given as gift by exalted kings

Kohinoor diamond has a bloody history. Its mention can be found in many historical accounts. Some devout Hindus even equate it to the mythological Syamantaka gem. According to Da Orto’s account, it might have at some point graced the throne of Vijayanagar empire as well.

Coincidentally the day I began reading this book is also the day when Maharaja Duleep Singh handed over the Kohinoor diamond along with his kingdom to the British in 1849

During the national struggle, it was deemed necessary to have a democratic and socialist country. Colonial rule thought India shouldn’t have a democracy due to its diversity. But our freedom struggle was successful because of the participation of common man. Thus it was now inevitable that India must be a country free of all biases after independence.

The introduction of the book expounds upon the challenges lying ahead of our leaders in taking forward a new independent country

Sardar Patel expressed his empathetic grievances to the people of Bengal. He reminded them of their monumental role in the freedom movement. He said that countries like America and the UK had worked very hard in the past to reach the level of development they have today. He time and again urges the workers to quit their unrealistic demands. Right now we don't have the right expertise to nationalise industries.

'Spend less, save more and invest as much as possible', should be the motto of every citizen. He calls upon industrialists, businessmen, agriculturists, and civil servants to come together and contribute to building the nation. At that time, the country needed every single penny it could get. Sardar Patel urges the masses to give their saving to the government.

The time for drawing up utopian visions has gone. Policy-makers have to focus on the hard facts now. The money invested in food imports can be diverted for other purposes if farmers adopt more efficient cultivation strategies. It can be used for the rehabilitation of the unfortunate immigrants who left their hearths and homes in Pakistan.

People are made aware of the dire state of our country. It had been bled continuously for almost 2 centuries. During the war years, all the resources were going to the British Empire. Even small countries like Portugal and France had pockets in South India. Progress and development can only happen when the communists and socialists give up their unrealistic demands. Workers must quit protesting over petty matters.

Sardar Patel addresses the people of Southern India. He implores them to shed their biases and accept the people of India. In his speech, he makes subtle references to how the enemy is present inside the country as well, and not just outside the country. They travelled to Junagadh in the Kathiawar region to spark anti-national activities in the Princely States.

Old men have secured independence from foreign rule. Now the responsibility to carry it forward falls on the youth. There were more than 500 princely states, exceeding the number of independent states in the world at that time. The work of uniting them had to be done with discussion and deliberation, and not domination. Ideas like Khalistan; Sikhistan and Jatistan would only turn Hindustan into a ‘Pagalistan’!

He asks the representatives to first become worthy of administering the masses, before asking the rulers of Princely States to hand over the mantle. The partition of India was also a result of hatred and false propaganda. However, it should not deter future policy making. Be mindful of the fact that these people have many expectations from the government as they are rising from the status of subjects to citizens.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was truly the ‘Iron man of India’. Serving as the first home minister and deputy prime minister of Independent India, he undertook the mammoth task of merging the princely states with the newly formed Republic of India. He expressed his sorrow on the events of past, but called upon the members of Congress to forget them and focus on the future.

The last chapter of the book delves into the 2020 Galwan Valley skirmishes. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) demarcates the disputed region. While India claims it to be a part of the Aksai Chin region, China claims it to be part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu attained martyrdom in one such clash in the Galwan Valley.

Balakot Air Strike was a very bold operation carried out by the IAF to destroy JeM's training camps inside Pakistani territory. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthman, VC, has now become synonymous with this attack, He spent 60 hours in enemy captivity, but still did not show any kind of fear and maintained his dignity.

The dastardly attack of 26/11 marked the beginning of India's onslaught on terrorism. In just 2 days, the NSG secured the Taj Mahal Palace hotel from the hands of terrorists. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ashok Chakra, played a key role in this operation.

The IAF did a commendable job during the Kargil War. They did the much-required mapping of the terrain. The book talks about 2 IAF pilots, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, VC, and Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa Rao, VSM. Both the officers were captured by the Pakistani forces. While Nachiketa was released after 8 days as a PoW, Ajay Ahuja, unfortunately met a gruesome end at the hands of Pakistanis.

The book discusses some unknown soldiers from the Northeastern region and Ladakh. They are Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, MVC, from 2 Rajputana Rifles, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, MVC, from 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Major Sonam Wangchuck, MVC, from Ladakh Scouts. They all played essential roles in securing crucial checkpoints during the Kargil War.

Naik Digendra Kumar MVC was unofficially known as a 'cobra' by his fellow soldiers. There were many instances when he lived up to this moniker. He belonged to the 2 Rajputana Rifles.