Latest Blog Posts on Rajya Sabha (Council of States), Hinduism: The Oldest Religion in the World, Planets of Our Solar System, Chief of Defence Staff of India, Independence Day of India

The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of Parliament, with a maximum of 250 seats, and currently has 245 members. Of these, 233 are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies, and 12 are appointed by the President of India. Members serve for 6 years, with one-third retiring every two years.

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that plays a crucial role in reviewing and amending legislation. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the Vice President of India, currently Jagdeep Dhankhar, who presides over the sessions. The role of the Rajya Sabha is to provide in-depth discussion and scrutiny of laws passed by the Lok Sabha.

Hinduism is widely regarded as the oldest religion in the world, with roots dating back over 5,000 years. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, Hinduism is a complex and diverse belief system, featuring numerous gods, rituals, philosophies, and sacred texts such as the Vedas and the Upanishads. It emphasizes the concepts of karma (actions), dharma (duty), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Unlike many religions, Hinduism has no single founder or central authority, and its flexible nature has allowed it to evolve over millennia, making it a deeply influential and enduring tradition.

The solar system has eight planets, categorized as inner rocky planets Mercury (Budh), Venus (Shukra), Earth (Prithvi), Mars (Mangal) and outer gas or ice giants Jupiter (Brihaspati), Saturn (Shani), Uranus (Arun), Neptune (Varun). The closest planet to Earth is Venus (Shukra). The farthest planet from Earth is Neptune (Varun). On Earth, 1 year is approximately 365 days, and a week has 7 days. A day on Earth consists of 24 hours, 1 hour has 60 minutes, 1 minute has 60 seconds, and 1 second has 1000 milliseconds.

General Anil Chauhan, born on May 18, 1961 (age 63), is India’s current and 2nd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), appointed in 2022. He is responsible for coordinating the armed forces and advising the government on military matters. With a distinguished career in the Indian Army, General Chauhan has held key command and staff positions, contributing to India’s defense strategy and operational readiness. As CDS, he plays a crucial role in ensuring jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and in modernizing India’s defense capabilities.

Independence Day of India, celebrated on August 15, marks the nation’s freedom from British rule in 1947. The 78th Independence Day in 2024 will be observed with flag hoisting, parades, and cultural events, symbolizing India’s sovereignty and unity. The day honors the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and is a time for patriotic celebrations across the country. The Prime Minister traditionally addresses the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi, highlighting achievements and outlining future goals.