Tag: philosophy

Special Occasion

Celebrating the Power of Thought: World Philosophy Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Philosophy has been an essential part of human civilization since the 6th century BC, influencing the way people think, live, and interact with the world around them. From Socrates’ inquiries into virtue and ethics to Plato’s dialogues that laid the foundation of Western thought, philosophy has consistently guided humans in understanding concepts, solving problems, and questioning the nature of existence. Its influence spans governments, religions, education, and cultural life, offering a framework to explore values, ideals, and the art of living.

On a personal level, studying philosophy enhances critical thinking, refines reasoning skills, and fosters an appreciation of the interconnectedness of ideas, encouraging individuals to act thoughtfully within their communities. Recognizing this profound impact, UNESCO introduced World Philosophy Day in 2002 and formally established it in 2005, celebrating the role of philosophy in the development of societies and cultures worldwide.

The day serves to promote the teaching and learning of philosophy, as well as to recognize its significance in cultivating reflective and thoughtful citizens. People can celebrate World Philosophy Day in many ways, from attending global events such as workshops, debates, and presentations, to exploring philosophical literature by seminal thinkers like Plato, Pierre Hadot, and modern authors who bring complex ideas into accessible forms.

Engaging with philosophy encourages a deeper understanding of the world and empowers individuals to navigate life’s questions with clarity, insight, and curiosity, making it a discipline that continues to inspire personal growth and collective wisdom across generations.

Business

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Reaffirms Commitment to Values, Transparency & Responsibility

Tanisha Cardozo

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the world’s largest jewelry retailers, has reaffirmed its dedication to ethical conduct, cultural sensitivity, and transparency in an internal message to its 27,500 employees.

In an email seen by this publication, the company expressed immense pride in being rooted in India’s cultural heritage and guided by its core values of integrity, trust, and respect. “Our foundation of trust is built on values and strengthened by responsibility,” the company stated, adding that these principles define its identity and guide every decision.

The message came amid recent online discussions concerning a past marketing engagement that had generated strong public reactions. “Certain online narratives have circulated incomplete or misleading interpretations about the intent and context of a past marketing engagement, leading to impressions that do not reflect our true ethos or the principles that guide us,” the company clarified.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds also noted that upon learning of the issue, it acted immediately to discontinue the association and terminate the vendor relationship responsible for the campaign. “As an Indian brand, we consider it our moral duty to act with sensitivity, transparency, and respect,” the statement read.

This follows the Bombay High Court’s decision to grant ad-interim relief to Malabar Gold & Diamonds, directing the deletion of all defamatory social media posts, materials, and stories that made false claims against the company.

Reaffirming its identity as a brand that celebrates India’s craftsmanship and diversity, Malabar said, “Being Indian is reflected not only in our products and presence but in our mindset and moral compass. Our decisions are guided by principles, never by prejudice, and we deeply respect the varied perspectives expressed by our stakeholders.”

The company reiterated that it will continue to communicate with clarity and act responsibly. “We reaffirm our commitment to accountability, cultural sensitivity, and maintaining public trust. Malabar Gold & Diamonds will continue to uphold the values that have defined our brand since its inception.”

Established in 1993, Malabar Gold & Diamonds operates over 410 showrooms across 14 countries and employs more than 27,500 people globally. With a turnover of US$7.36 billion in FY 2024–25, it stands among the world’s top five jewelry retailers. The company’s continued growth is underpinned by its unwavering dedication to ethical practices, transparency, and social responsibility — values that remain at the heart of its success.

Special Occasion

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025: Honouring Ancestors, Embracing Blessings

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Shrad, is a deeply spiritual Hindu observance falling this year on Sunday, 21st September 2025. It marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a sixteen-day period dedicated to offering prayers, rituals, and gratitude to ancestors. This sacred window is rooted in the belief that honouring our departed forefathers helps repay ancestral debts, cleanse karmic burdens, and invite blessings into our lives.

Rituals performed on this day — Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan — are considered spiritually potent and deeply symbolic. Tarpan involves offering water and prayers to ancestors, while Pind Daan uses symbolic food offerings like rice balls, barley flour, and sesame seeds to nourish their souls. Shradh is a ceremonial rite filled with mantras and devotion. Traditionally, the eldest male family member performs these rites while wearing a ring made of kush grass, a sacred plant that symbolises compassion and purity.

After these offerings, food is given to a crow — believed to be the messenger of Lord Yama, the god of death — followed by feeding Brahmin priests, continuing a cycle of charity and reverence. It is also considered auspicious to read scriptures such as the Garuda Purana or Agni Purana during this time.

A poignant legend from the Mahabharata gives context to Mahalaya Amavasya’s origin. When Karna, the heroic warrior, died and reached heaven, he was offered gold instead of food. Puzzled, he asked Lord Indra why. The deity revealed that Karna had donated gold throughout his life but never food. Realising the importance of feeding the needy, Karna was allowed to return to earth for sixteen days to offer food to the poor. These sixteen days became known as Pitru Paksha, culminating in Mahalaya Amavasya.

On this solemn day, traditional attire is worn as a mark of respect — white kurta-pyjamas for men and white sarees for women — symbolising peace, purity, and spiritual focus. While the festival doesn’t involve specific celebratory dishes, the food offered during rituals is rich with symbolic meaning.

The primary deities revered during Mahalaya Amavasya are Lord Vishnu, the protector, and Lord Yama, the guide of souls in the afterlife. Their blessings are sought to ensure peace for the departed and spiritual protection for the living.

Mahalaya Amavasya is more than a ritual — it is a sacred bridge between generations. It reminds us that just as we inherit our ancestors’ blessings and assets, we also inherit their karmic residues. Performing these ancestral rites helps liberate both souls and families from spiritual bondage, paving the way for peace in this life and beyond.

May your ancestors bless you with wisdom, strength, and peace this Mahalaya Amavasya.
—from Allycaral family

Finance

Bank of Baroda Wins First Prize in Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar for Excellence in Official Language Use

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s foremost public sector banks, has been honoured with the First Prize under the Government of India’s prestigious Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar scheme for the year 2024–2025. This award recognises the bank’s exceptional contribution to the promotion and effective use of Hindi as the official language across its services and operations.

The award ceremony took place on 14 September 2025, during the Hindi Day celebration and the Fifth All India Official Language Conference held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar. The honour was conferred by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.

Accepting the award on behalf of the bank was Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Baroda. He was accompanied by Executive Director Ms. Beena Vaheed and Mr. Sanjay Singh, Head of Official Language and Parliamentary Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chand expressed the bank’s commitment to inclusivity through language. “This award reflects the bank’s sensitivity towards its millions of customers who interact in Hindi and other Indian languages and feel more comfortable availing banking services in their native languages,” he said.

Bank of Baroda has significantly expanded its multilingual capabilities across its digital platforms, including its flagship mobile banking app BoB World and WhatsApp Banking services. The bank also ensures that transaction-related SMS, chatbot conversations, and customer support are accessible in Indian languages, fostering a more inclusive and user-friendly banking environment.

The Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar is one of the highest honours awarded by the Government of India to institutions for outstanding performance in implementing the official language policy. This recognition positions Bank of Baroda not only as a leader in banking services but also as a pioneer in promoting linguistic inclusion in the financial sector.

With this award, Bank of Baroda reinforces its commitment to enhancing customer experience by speaking the language of its people – both literally and technologically.

TechPulse

Goa’s First Friday Explores How Location Tech Shapes Our World

Tanisha Cardozo

What do Tesla, Google Maps, and Swiggy have in common? The answer lies in geospatial technology. This was the question that set the stage for the 16th edition of First Friday, a monthly meetup by Goa’s Creative Community, held at FiiRE in Margao. Organised by the Creative Community of Goa in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India – Goa Chapter and supported by the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, the session drew creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators into a conversation about the hidden force that powers our everyday world: location.

Architect and entrepreneur Vikrant Karandikar led the session, tracing the journey of geospatial technology from its military origins to its present-day ubiquity in apps and tools that shape modern life. He explained how GPS, healthcare diagnostics, and delivery services all rely on location data to function seamlessly. More than just physical maps, location has become a core driver of decision-making and innovation. Businesses like Airbnb and CouchSurfing have leveraged it to scale, while platforms such as Swiggy and Google Maps thrive on real-time, crowd-sourced updates from their users.

Karandikar also drew examples from urban mobility, pointing to Tesla’s autonomous systems and the ACES model—Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared—that is transforming the way we think of transport in cities. On the conservation front, he cited drones monitoring rhino habitats in Karnataka and 3D mapping tools preserving India’s cultural heritage. Even sports are being revolutionised, with smart bats equipped with gyroscopes to analyse swing dynamics and offer instant feedback.

Through vivid examples, he showed how location-aware strategies have been shaping industries for decades, recalling how consumer goods companies once adapted packaging sizes to local markets based on purchasing power. Today, location intelligence goes even deeper, from flood warning systems to GIS-driven architectural design.

The session was not just about technology but also about Goa’s place in this emerging landscape. Addressing the gathering, Shri DS Prashant, CEO of Startup and IT Promotion Cell, reminded the audience that Goa is evolving beyond its reputation as a beach destination into a hub for creativity and premium tech innovation. “Goa is where talent comes together to build products, because it nourishes creativity and offers ample space and freedom one needs to innovate,” he said, urging the community to work towards making Goa India’s Creative Capital.

By the end of the evening, the audience was left with a deeper appreciation for the unseen role of geospatial data in everyday life. From the delivery on your doorstep to the car you choose to ride, from protecting wildlife to responding to natural disasters, location remains the quiet constant behind innovation. First Friday once again lived up to its reputation as a hub where design, technology, and creativity meet to spark new ideas and possibilities for the future.