Which are the best indoor plants to keep mosquitoes away?

Some of the best indoor plants to deter mosquitoes are Rosemary, Basil, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Citronella Grass, Peppermint, etc.

1. Rosemary

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Mosquitoes hate the woody smell of rosemary; they are an evergreen fragrant herb from the Mediterranean with various health benefits. Rosemary can be effectively grown indoors in a small pot. 

2. Basil

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The mild citrus smell of basil deters mosquitoes from your home. Grown in tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia, Basil is used in worldwide cuisines. It can be grown in containers or pots; just make sure it gets enough sunlight.

3. Lavender

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It has a sweet mint flavored scent which helps keep the mosquitoes away from your place. It is a fragrant flowering plant from the mint family native from the Mediterranean, Middle East & India. Lavender is basically an outdoor plant but can also be kept indoors near a window or somewhere the airflow is good.

4. Lemon Grass

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It has a strong citrus fragrance, which deters mosquitoes from your home. Lemon Grass is a tropical island plant from the perpetual grass family in Australia, Asia, Africa. They can be grown indoors and outdoors; make sure they get adequate sunlight and regular watering.

5. Citronella Grass

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The citric smell of citronella deters bugs and mosquitoes away from your house. It is known for its medicinal benefits like anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, reduces fever, relieves migraine, relaxes muscles, etc.

6. Peppermint

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It has a minty fragrance that deters mosquitoes from your house. It is an aromatic plant from the mint family, native to Europe. They can be kept as an indoor or outdoor plant; it only requires partial sunlight.

Additional Tip: Read our blog to get more information on mosquito repellent plants to get rid of mosquitoes naturally.

Who is the owner of the game Call of Duty?

The Call of Duty video game is owned by an American tech company Activision Blizzard Pvt Limited. It was first developed by Infinity Ward. The Call of Duty: Mobile was developed by TiMi Studio group, a subsidiary of Tencent Games, and published by Activision. 

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About Call of Duty

Call of Duty is the most celebrated first-person shooter game that was first set in World War II, and later it was focused on games set in the middle of the Cold War, outer space, and futuristic world.  It was first released in 2003, and the new title, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, was released in November 2020. The game has become the third best-selling video franchise of all  time. 

Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the profitable and most loved mobile gaming apps. Players can use ranked or unranked matches to play in multiplayer mode. The game also has battle royale that features up to 100 players. It also has two kinds of in-game currencies; one is ‘Credits’ which are obtained while playing the game and the other is ‘COD points’, which are purchased with the help of real money. 

Why is India called 'Subcontinent'?

The reason India is called a Subcontinent is because of its landmass that stands out distinctly. (Trivia: Subcontinent is a large piece of land that is self-sustaining and forms a division)

The Indian Subcontinent constitutes India and all the SAARC countries, i.e., Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. As per history, these seven countries were part of India, but they were separated due to geo-political reasons. 

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 Initially, India was a separate geographical plate that collided and merged with Asia due to continental drift. (It is a theory that explains how geologists thought continents shifts positions on earth’s surface) 

Though India is a part of the Asian Continent, it's still a distinct area separated by the Himalayas in the north and surrounded by oceans on three sides of the landmass on the south. This is also a reason why India is called a 'Subcontinent'.

Fun Facts: The culture and climate in all the seven countries, i.e., Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are similar as they all belong to the same geographical plate.

What were the most inspirational events of Indian History?

These are some 18 events in Indian history that will make every Indian fill with pride:

  1. Right to Vote: On the very next day of Independence, India gave every citizen the right to vote. It was indeed a good beginning for the country.
  2.  First General Election in India: India took a pretty big democratic step by running the first general elections in 1951, where Congress had a huge victory. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of India. 
  3. Host of First Asian Games: The country started a new legacy by hosting the first-ever Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi. 
  4. Chipko Movement: The first resistance against forest destruction , Chipko Movement began in 1973 in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and was started by Sunderlal Bahuguna. 
  5. First Nuclear Test: India entered into the nuclear club in 1974 when its first nuclear test was conducted in 1974 at Pokhran. It was codenamed the ‘Smiling Buddha.’
  6. Launched First Satellite: India designed and completely fabricated its first satellite Aryabhata and was launched in April 1975. The satellite was named after the 5th-century astronomer Aryabhata.
  7. Won First Cricket World Cup: Under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, India won the first Cricket World Cup in 1983 by defeating West Indies. 
  8. Sending Man into Space: India, for the first time, sent its astronaut Rakesh Sharma to enter space in the year 1984 in a joint mission with the Soviet Union. This was the beginning of opening a door for more outer space missions.
  9. Host First Cricket World Cup: 1987 Cricket World Cup was held in India and Pakistan. It was the first tournament held outside England. 
  10. Globalization of Economy: In 1991, India opened the doors to the global market and began economic liberalization. 
  11. Kargil War: India defeated Pakistan and successfully recaptured Tiger Hill in 1999 Kargil war under ‘Operation Vijay’. It is one of the proud moments that occurred in Indian history. 
  12. Right to Information Act 2005: The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed by Parliament in 2005. It allows the citizen to get information from a public authority, and it demands responsibilities from public servants. 
  13. Chandrayaan I: India successfully launched Chandrayaan I in 2008, its first mission to the moon. Chandrayaan made the most significant achievement by discovering water molecules in the lunar soil. 
  14. First Gold Medal in Olympics: At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Abhinav Bindra won gold in the 10m Air Rifle event. He became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event.
  15. Wins World Cricket Cup for Second Time: India won the cricket World Cup for the second time under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy in April 2011, where they defeated Sri Lanka in the final.
  16. Declared Polio-Free: India has eradicated Polio disease, and WHO certified it as polio-free in March 2014. 
  17. Mangalyaan: India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars in the first attempt. It was indeed a proud moment for the country and the world. 
  18. First Gold Medal for Athletics in Tokyo Olympics: At the Tokyo Olympics 2021, Neeraj Chopra won Men’s Javelin gold medal and became the first Indian track and field athlete to finish on the top step podium at the Games. 

And India does have a lot more on the list and will keep on adding. 

How does using Turmeric benefit our health?

Turmeric is a bright-yellow spice rich in medicinal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammable properties due to the active ingredient, curcumins. These are some of the proven excellent benefits of turmeric:

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  1. Aids in preventing cancer: Since turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and medicinal properties, it can help in reducing the risk of getting cancer. Curcumin is a powerful anti-carcinogen, i.e, the substance that prevents cancers.
  2. Boosts immune system: Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties in turmeric helps in improving and strengthening the immune system of people even with immune disorders. 
  3. Control Diabetes: Curcumin in turmeric can reduce glucose in the blood and other diabetes-related issues. Researchers have proved that it can help in controlling diabetes. 
  4. Lowers cholesterol: Research has proved that consuming turmeric as a food seasoning can lessen the total cholesterol levels. 
  5. Reduces the symptoms of Arthritis: Turmeric helps in reducing inflammation and swelling in people who have arthritis. Curcumin present in the spice is effective in lessening the pain for osteoarthritis.  
  6. Fighting age and improves skin health: As turmeric is abundant in antioxidants, it can enhance the skin’s texture and is an exfoliant. It also provides glow and radiance to the skin.
  7. A quick remedy to heal wounds: It is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent and aids in healing wounds, and acts as a disinfectant. 

What are some of the Apple Cider Vinegar benefits?

Apple cider vinegar is a sort of vinegar made from fermented apple juice; adding yeast into apple juice turns the sugar in the juice into alcohol. Apple cider vinegar has a long history as a home remedy, used to treat various health issues like sore throat, controlling the blood sugar level, and other issues. It has multiple health benefits, and some of them are:

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  1. Lowers Blood Sugar Level: Studies have proven that consuming few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before food improves insulin response and reduces blood sugar spikes if consumed with meal.
  2. Helps Reduce Belly Fat/ Lose Weight: There is no proven research that apple cider vinegar helps in weight loss, but it's friendly to any diet as it has fewer calories and no carbs, fat, fiber, or protein.
  3. Lowers Cholesterol: Apple cider vinegar has antioxidants, which help to reduce the LDL/ Bad cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride level.  
  4. Lowers Blood Pressure: Consuming apple cider vinegar helps control renin (a hormone produced by kidneys responsible for dilating and constricting blood vessels). Apple cider vinegar relaxes your blood vessels, as blood pressure rises when the blood vessels are constricting. 
  5. Decreases the Risk of Cancer: Regular consumption of apple cider vinegar slows down the growth of cancer cells in your body, preventing and reduce the risk of getting cancer.
  6. Improves Digestion: If our stomach has low hydrochloric acid (HCl), it's hard to digest foods; the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar supplements the hydrochloric acid level in your stomach improves digestion.

Which are the best movies to understand Indian History?

Some of the best movies to understand Indian history are: 

Gandhi, Sardar, Earth, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bajirao Mastani, Hey Ram, Tenali Raman, Urumi, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, Kalapani and Jodhaa Akbar. 

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  1. Gandhi (1982) - (IMDb - 8/10)

Gandhi is a biographical movie based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his struggles for India’s independence. The movie contains some of the important historical elements of India.

History you learn: The movie helps you to understand more about Gandhi’s life, his non violence independence movement, the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar, the Salt March in 1930, the end of British rule in 1947, and how Gandhi was assassinated. 

Director: Richard Attenborough

Starring: Ben Kingsley, John Mill

  1. Sardar (1993) - (IMDb - 7.9/10)

The Hindi language biographical drama tells the story of one of the greatest freedom fighters of India , Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s struggles during the fight for India’s independence. 

History you learn: The movie portrays the age of the Quit India movement, Indian independence, the proposal of partition of India, and the riots taking place due to this decision. It also depicts how Nehru and Sardar worked together to unite India as an independent nation. 

Director: Ketan Mehta

Starring: Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor

  1. Earth (1998) - (IMDb - 7.7/10)

The Hindi movie Earth is a reflection of the political and social conditions that occurred in India at the time of Partition. It portrays the painful social split and its tragic consequences during the Partition.

History you learn: The movie discusses the Partition of India and the tragic situations that happened as a result of this. It highlights the state of uncertainty of India before partition, painful social split, disagreement between main political parties, and helplessness of common people who belong to different religions. 

Director: Deepa Mehta 

Starring: Amir Khan, Nandita Das 

  1. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) - (IMDb - 6.6/10)

A Hindi language historical biographical film, directed by Ketan Mehta, talks about the life of an Indian soldier Mangal Pandey, who is known to help start the Indian rebellion of 1857. 

History you learn: It helps to learn about the brave life of Mangal Pandey and the spark he created for beginning the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The movie also demonstrates the beginning of the Sepoy Mutiny and also depicts small elements of the Mughal period.

Director: Ketan Mehta 

Starring: Amir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Ameesha Patel 

  1. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) - (IMDb - 8.1/10)

The Hindi language biographical movie is about a fearless freedom fighter who fights for Indian independence. The film also throws light on the pre-independent period of India along with the important historical events that happened during the independence. 

History you learn: It aids you to get a better idea about the life of Bhagat singh, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Gandhi’s satyagraha policies, the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, the 116-day hunger strike in Lahore Central Jail, and the fearless death of Bhagat Singh.

Director: Rajkumar Santhoshi

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Sushant Singh, Amrita Rao 

  1. Bajirao Mastani (2015) - (IMDb - 7.2/10)

The movie depicts the life of Peshwa Bajirao I, one of the most outstanding leaders of the Maratha Empire, and Mastani, the daughter of Bundela King. 

History you learn: The movie portrays the period of the Maratha Empire, along with the fight with the Mughal Empire. 

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 

  1. Hey Ram (2000) - (IMDb - 7.9/10)

Hey Ram is a Tamil movie based on India's partition and its consequences on people.. It is also made available in Hindi language. 

History you learn: It has some historical elements like pre-independence period, about Mahatma Gandhi, Godse’s assassination of Gandhi and the Partition of India. 

Director: Kamal Hassan

Starring: Kamal Hassan, Vasundhara Das

  1. Tenali Raman (1956) - (IMDb - 7/10)

The Tamil movie portrays the life of Tenali Rama, a 14th-century poet and member of the court of Krishnadevaraya, the king of the Vijayanagara Empire. It focuses on the king and Tenali’s efforts to save him.

History you learn: It portrays the life of Tenali Raman and also depicts more about the Vijayanagara Empire and king Krishnadevaraya. 

Director: B.S Ranga 

Starring: Sivaji Ganeshan 

  1. Urumi (2011) - (IMDb - 7.1/10)

Urumi is a Malayalam historical movie that portrays the 16th century period when the Portuguese completely ruled the Indian Ocean. The Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions of the movie were also released. 

History you learn: The movie demonstrates globalization, another side of the explorer Vasco da Gama, his arrival to Kerala, the conquering of the British in different parts of Kerala, and about the Chirakkal kingdom in Kerala.

Director: Santhosh Sivan

Starring: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Genelia D’Souza

  1. Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009) - (IMDb - 7.7/10)

The Malayalam historical drama film highlights the legendary king, Pazhassi Raja, who lived in the 18th century. He was a brave warrior who fought until his last breath against the British. 

History you learn: The film portrays the fight of Pazhassi Raja against the East India Company, the First Pazhassi Revolt, the life of people during the British Rule, etc.

Director: Hariharan 

Starring: Mammootty 

  1. Kalapani (1996) - (IMDb- 8.4/10)

It is an epic Malayalam historical film, set in 1915, that focuses on the life of activists during Indian independence. The movie is dubbed in Tamil and Hindi languages. 

History you learn: The movie is an excellent historical piece that truly depicts the activists' life during the pre-independence period and the terrible and tragic incidents they had to face in the Cellular Jail located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the time of British rule.

Director: Priyadarshan 

Starring: Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu

  1. Jodhaa Akbar (2008) - (IMDb - 7.6/10)

Jodhaa Akbar is a historical drama film that portrays the 16th-century love story of the greatest Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar and the Rajput princess Jodhaa Bai.

History you learn: The movie has some historical elements like representation of the Mughal period, touches the history of Babur and Humayun, and talks about Rajput too. 

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker 

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Is it possible to believe in Science and Religion at the same time?

Yes, it is possible to believe in science and religion at the same time. Both tend to be irreconcilable but somehow can coexist with each other. It’s like looking at the same world through two doors with different aspects. Science and religion both give information on why life as well as the universe exist.

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Science is based on theories and facts, whereas religion depends on faith. Science leans on observations and evidence, but religion depends on the subjective belief of the creator. When science talks about the process that takes place in the natural world, like how planets move, the origin of organisms, and so on, religion discusses the meaning and purpose of the world and people’s relationship with its creator. 

Religious belief and evolution need not be contradictory if both of them are correctly understood. Hence, you can believe in both science and religion at the same time as both concerns different matters. 

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” - Albert Einstein 

Is there anything Science can't explain?

In today's world, science is so advanced that anything is possible through science, but there are still few things that science can't explain, such as:

1. Why the universe exist?

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We all know that the universe exists because of the big bang or other reasons, but scientists are still not sure why the universe exists. Many theoretical frameworks explain 'WHY', but scientists cannot conclude.

2. Why do people yawn?

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Yawning is something we likely do every day, but it's strange enough that scientists still aren't sure why. The scientific community has moved to the idea that yawning is a thermoregulatory behavior that calms down the brain, but its actual biological purpose is still unclear. A study published in 2005 by Cognitive Brain Research found that the networks in the human brain are responsible for compassion, and social skills are activated when we see someone yawn.

3. Why Saturn's north pole has a hexagon-shaped swirling storm?

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At Saturn's north pole, there is a hexagon-shaped weather system at the size of 2 Earths. The storm was observed and photographed by NASA's Cassini Probe; the reason behind the hexagon-shaped storm remains mysterious. The storm appears to have changed color from turquoise to yellow in just a few years, which makes the matter more confusing.

4. Why do cats purr?

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Scientists understand how cats purr, but why do cats Purr is still a mystery. As per BBC, it is usually thought that the muscles around the feline larynx of the cats constrict, which creates a vibration that makes the purring sound. A theory is that purring supports bone growth as the vibration frequency leads bones to harden in response to the pressure. But the reason cats purr is still a debatable question.

5. Why there is dark matter or dark energy

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A matter is made of protons, neutrons, & electrons, but what is dark matter is made of is still a mystery. Around 27% of the matter and energy observed by the universe is considered dark. 

Since the beginning, the universe has constantly been expanding, but now, the expansion rate is accelerating outwards, and scientists are not sure where this energy is coming from. There are many models, theories, and extensive research going on about this, but none are conclusive.

Who were the greatest kings & warriors in Indian History?

Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Raja Raja Cholan I, Prithviraj Chauhan I, Krishnadevaraya, Shivaji Bhonsle are the greatest kings & warriors in Indian history.

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The founder of the Maurya Empire, Chandragupta Maurya, built one of the largest empires in the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta was one of the most important personalities in Indian history, laying the foundations of the first government to unite most of South Asia. Under the guidance of Chanakya, he created a new empire based on the principles of statecraft; he built a large army and continued to expand his boundaries until his final years.

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The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka was the Maurya dynasty's third emperor; he spread Buddhism across ancient Asia. He was considered one of India's greatest emperors; he expanded the Maurya empire until present-day Bangladesh in the east to Afghanistan in the west. He conquered most of the Indian subcontinent except parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. 

After the devastating war against Kalinga (Odisa), seeing the deaths of 1000's of people, he converted to Buddhism. Ashoka is known for building the Ashoka pillars to spread his orders about Buddhism. 

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Raja Raja Chola I, belonging to the Chola dynasty, was the most powerful king in the south. His time was remembered for reinstating the Chola power and ensuring its supremacy in south India and the Indian ocean. His kingdom included parts of Pandya's land, Cher's land, and northern Sri Lanka; he also conquered Lakshadweep and Maldive Islands. Raja Raja Chola I was the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva; he built several temples standing still in modern-day Tamil Naidu. One of the most famous temples he built was Brihadeeswara Temple, popularly known as the Thanjavur Periya Kovil.

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Prithviraj Chauhan I was a king from the Chahamana/ Chauhan Dynasty. He ruled Sapadalaksha (traditional territory of the Chauhan dynasty), present-day Rajasthan, Haryana, & Delhi; some parts of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Soon after Prithviraj became the ruler, he faced rebel from his cousin, Nagarjuna. Prithviraj was defeated in his 'second battle of Tarain'; he was captured & taken to the Chauhan capital Ajmer, killed for rebel against Muhammad.

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The emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire, Krishnadevaraya, was the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty; he was considered to be its greatest ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. He controlled the largest empire in India after the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Leading over the kingdom at its peak, he is recognized as an icon by many Indians. He became the most dominant ruler of the peninsula of India by defeating the Golconda, Bahmani Sultanate, Sultans of Bijapur, and the Gajapatis of Odisha; he was one of the most powerful Hindu rulers in India. His rule was a golden age for Kannada literature and a period of prolific literature in many other languages.

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Shivaji Bhonsale, popular known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian king and a member of the Bhonsle-Maratha clan. He created an enclave from the declining Bijapur Adilshahi sultanate, which set the beginning of the Maratha Empire. He was formally crowned the Chhatrapati (emperor in the Marathi language) of his realm at Raigad, in 1674. 

He engaged in alliances and hostilities with the Sultanate of Bijapur, the Sultanate of Golkonda, Mughal Empire, and European colonial powers throughout his life. He instituted a satisfactory and progressive civil rule with well-structured administrative organizations. He restored ancient Hindu political traditions and court rules and promoted the usage of the Marathi language.