Imagining a place with no traffic lights can be a tough thing for anybody who lives in metro cities. But as they say, there are exceptions. And if you haven’t guessed it yet, it’s the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, which is famously known for operating without a single functioning traffic light. Instead of automated signals, traffic at the city’s busiest intersections is directed manually by uniformed police officers standing inside decorative white booths, using hand gestures with almost choreographed precision.

Why no traffic lights?

A distinctive feature of Thimphu’s road network is that it is one of only two national capitals in the world without traffic lights. Although traffic signals were once installed, they were removed before becoming operational. Instead, traffic is manually managed during key intersections by uniformed police officers, the precise and choreographed movements of whom have become a hallmark of the city. In addition, public bus services are available throughout the day, with proposals to include tram services in the near future.

According to information from the Royal Bhutan Police, traffic management in Thimphu city is carried out under manual control to ensure smooth flow and vigilant driving. The system reflects Bhutan’s preference for a more human-centred approach to governance and urban management. In fact, when traffic lights were briefly installed in Thimphu in the late 1990s, public reaction was not enthusiastic. Residents reportedly found them impersonal and unnecessary. The signals were soon removed, and the city returned to its tradition of police-directed intersections, a system that continues today. Read more: H-1B visa under threat: US lawmaker introduces EXILE Act; what it means for Indian applicants

A capital that moves at its own pace

Thimphu is not a sprawling megacity. With a relatively small population compared to other capitals in Asia, the traffic flow is still reasonable. Even the lack of traffic lights has ceased to be a problem and has come to be seen as a cultural statement, which is in harmony with the country’s overall philosophy of Gross National Happiness. At major junctions such as Norzin Lam, visitors often stop to watch the traffic police in action. Dressed in crisp uniforms and white gloves, officers direct vehicles, pedestrians and turning cars through carefully timed gestures. It feels less like a rush-hour scramble and more like a synchronised performance. Read more: The island that is so full of venomous snakes that humans can barely visit

What travellers should know

For visitors, Thimphu is straightforward. Drivers are accustomed to manual traffic control, and road discipline is generally strong. Pedestrians should wait for clear signals from officers before crossing, especially at busy intersections. The lack of traffic lights does not mean a lack of regulation. Bhutan enforces traffic laws strictly, and the police presence ensures compliance. In an increasingly automated world, Thimphu stands out as one of the remarkable exceptions, as a capital city in which humans still give instructions, as opposed to computers.

Ancient wisdom suggests prioritizing a child’s spirit of reverence over material wealth. This inner discipline, encompassing respect for people, life, and limits, fosters humility and responsibility. Unlike riches, reverence guides choices, teaches patience through failure, and builds character that truly lasts a lifetime, offering a more profound inheritance.

When Plato says parents should give children “the spirit of reverence” instead of riches, he points to something deeper than money. He talks about values, respect, and inner discipline. These are things children carry for life, even when comfort, status, or money change. In a world that often measures success by wealth, this quote gently asks parents to pause and rethink priorities.

What Plato really meant by “reverence”

Reverence does not mean fear or blind obedience. It means respect, for people, for life, for learning, and for limits. A child with reverence learns that not everything exists to be used or won. They learn to value effort, time, and relationships. This mindset builds humility and responsibility, two qualities money alone can never buy.

Why riches alone fall short

Wealth can provide ease, but it cannot guide choices. Children who grow up with only material comfort may struggle when things do not go their way. Reverence teaches patience during failure and gratitude during success. It helps children understand that worth is not tied to possessions, but to actions and character.

How daily behaviour teaches more than lectures

Children rarely learn values from long talks. They learn from small, repeated moments. When parents speak respectfully to elders, apologise when wrong, or show care for workers and helpers, children notice. These quiet actions send a stronger message than rules written on paper. Reverence grows when it is lived, not preached.

Allowing children to see limits and consequences

Shielding children from every difficulty may feel loving, but it can weaken respect for effort and boundaries. Letting children face fair consequences builds reverence for rules and choices. It teaches that actions matter and that responsibility is not punishment, but guidance for growth.

Teaching respect for things that cannot be bought

Nature, time, and human emotions have no price tag. When parents encourage care for books, plants, or shared spaces, children learn respect beyond ownership. Simple habits like waiting patiently, listening fully, or finishing what was started quietly shape inner discipline.

Passing values that last beyond childhood

Money can be spent, lost, or inherited without effort. Reverence stays active throughout life. It helps children become adults who value learning, treat others with dignity, and make thoughtful decisions. This is the kind of inheritance that supports them long after childhood ends.Disclaimer: This article is meant for general reflection and parenting insight. It does not replace professional advice or individual guidance. Parenting approaches may vary based on family values, culture, and personal circumstances.

Royal names carry quiet strength. They feel timeless, thoughtful, and rooted in history. For many Indian parents, a “royal” name is not about palaces or crowns. It is about dignity, grace, and a sense of calm confidence. This list brings together ten such names. They sound Indian, feel modern, and avoid the names heard in every classroom. Each one has depth, cultural grounding, and a gentle elegance that can age well from childhood to adulthood.

The terrace design combines wooden furniture, greenery, and calming tones to create a peaceful retreat within the bustling city. Renovated ceiling panelling and coordinated wall finishes further enhance the relaxed yet refined ambience. Integrating nature with comfortable seating is a timeless strategy for turning outdoor zones into meaningful extensions of indoor living.

Mannat is more than a celebrity landmark, it is a study in layered luxury, emotional storytelling, and design longevity. From personalised study rooms to marble-rich bathrooms and leisure-centric amenities, the residence demonstrates how thoughtful interiors can merge comfort with grandeur. For homeowners and designers alike, the true takeaway from Mannat lies not in extravagance but in intention: using materials, memories, and spatial planning to create a home that feels both magnificent and deeply personal.

Image Credit: Instagram/ Miss Malini

Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhokbcc

When cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar announces a family wedding, you know it’s going to be more than just a ceremony – it’s an event that blends stardom, tradition, and heartfelt joy. The Master Blaster has personally invited some of India’s biggest personalities to his son’s wedding with Saaniya Chandhok. And their grand wedding list includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, among others. As per reports, Sachin and Anjali Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, is all set to marry his fiance Saaniya Chandhok on March 5, 2026, and this union promises to be a beautiful crossover of sports royalty and business legacy. It’s the kind of invite list that screams celebration on a national scale.

New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with his family and the family of his son’s fiancée Saaniya Chandhok, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday and personally invited him to the wedding of Arjun Tendulkar.

Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok

Arjun and Saaniya’s relationship became official in August 2025, when the news of their intimate engagement broke the internet. Arjun and Saaniya exchanged rings in a cozy gathering, surrounded only by immediate family and a handful of close friends. No grand paparazzi frenzy, just pure, private happiness. Fast-forward to now, and the wedding preparation has started, with Sachin extending those high-profile invites. It’s a testament to the Tendulkar family’s grace – keeping things grounded amid the glamour.

Meet Saaniya Chandhok: The low-key business heiress

Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok (Image credit: X)

For the unversed, Saaniya is the granddaughter of Ravi Ghai, the Chairman of the Graviss Group – which includes Baskin Robbins, Brooklyn Creamery, and even the luxurious InterContinental hotels. Her family also owns the nostalgic Kwality ice cream brand, evoking childhood summers for generations.Saaniya is the daughter of Sunny Chandhok and Gaurika Ghai Chandhok, and she’s carved her own quiet path as an entrepreneur. According to Ministry of Corporate Affairs records, Saaniya is a designated partner and director at Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP, a Mumbai-based firm focused on pet nutrition and welfare.Also, Saaniya has long been tight with the Tendulkar family, especially Arjun’s sister Sara, turning friendship into forever love.

Arjun Tendulkar: Carrying Sachin’s the cricket legacy forward

Arjun, at 26, is Sachin’s spitting image on the field – fiery, determined, and left-arm lethal. A pace-bowling all-rounder, he’s stepped out of his dad’s massive shadow to craft his own story. He kicked off his senior career with Mumbai in the 2020–21 season, debuting in T20s against Haryana. By 2022–23, he switched to Goa, where he notched his First-Class and List A debuts. Earlier stints included junior cricket for Mumbai and a spot in India’s U-19 squad.Stats don’t lie: In red-ball cricket, Arjun’s smashed 532 runs across 17 matches, with a century and two fifties under his belt. Bowling-wise? 37 wickets, including a five-wicket haul and two four-fers – impressive for a young gun. In List A’s for Goa, he’s played 17 games, scoring 76 runs in nine innings. It’s not IPL superstardom yet, but Arjun’s grit shines through. Off the pitch, he’s the family guy, blending athletic drive with humility, much like his dad.This wedding feels like a full-circle moment. Sachin, who revolutionised cricket for a billion fans, now watches his son build a life intertwined with another iconic family. From engagement whispers to VVIP invites, it’s a fairy tale with real heart.Here’s wishing Arjun and Saaniya many years of happiness and togetherness!

Vastu Shastra suggests that hanging some particular paintings can change the course of energy that flows within a living space. As per Vatu principles, a house which is well-aligned with natural elements like light, water, and greenery can bring positive changes and also financial stability, not to mention professional growth, and prosperity. Among these, one of the most subtle yet suggested ways is to place chosen paintings in the correct directions.

A look at six Vastu-recommended paintings that are believed to promote wealth and prosperity.

Colonel Rajeev Bharwan asserts Gen Z isn’t lazy but seeks purpose, rejecting hollow pursuits. He emphasizes their need for alignment with values and self, not lectures. This generation, though digitally adept and honest about struggles, requires guidance to channel their desire to reshape the world effectively, preventing self-destruction through chaos.

Colonel Rajeev Bharwan, or “Mumma Sir” as many of his students call him, has spent decades in uniform. He’s seen discipline in its rawest form. Pressure. Fear. Loss. Survival. So when he talks about Gen Z, he’s not doing it from a sofa with a mic. He’s speaking from a life lived hard and honest.And his take on Gen Z? It’s not what most people expect.“When the world is busy finding faults in Gen Z, I deal with them,” he says. “I don’t see a lost generation. I see life. I see value. They don’t need lectures. They need alignment.”That word keeps coming up when he talks about young people. Alignment.

They don’t lack talent!

According to him, Gen Z doesn’t lack talent or fire. They lack direction. The compass is there. The needle just keeps spinning.People call them lazy. He doesn’t buy that for a second.“They’re not lazy,” he says. “They’re allergic to meaningless life.”And honestly, that hits.This generation doesn’t want to wake up, grind for something that feels hollow, and sleepwalk through years of their life. They want purpose. They want to matter. The problem? Nobody is really helping them find that purpose. So they drift. They scroll. They burn out early.“They want to fix the world. Redesign it,” he says. “And they can. They are amazing people. But bus apne tareeke theek karo.”

He doesn’t romanticise them either. He calls them out where it hurts.Gen Z wants to be fit. But they think fitness is just protein shakes and gym selfies.He tells them it’s not about one hour in the gym. It’s about the other 23 hours.What you eat.What you scroll.What you think.What you allow into your head.Then he drops the line that stays with you:“You subscribe to the whole world. Influencers, creators, strangers. But you’ve unsubscribed from yourself.”That’s the real problem, he feels.They check everyone else’s life.But don’t check in on their own.They track other people’s growth.But don’t sit with their own mess.

Parents are no less

And parents? He doesn’t let them off the hook either.“I tell parents – kids learn from the life around them. From what you do. Not what you preach.”So if a child is lost, distracted, constantly anxious, the environment has something to answer for too. Homes. Schools. The constant pressure to “be something” without ever asking who you actually are.People say Gen Z is confused.He says they’re conscious.That’s a big difference.They question everything. They don’t worship blindly. They ask why. And yes, sometimes that makes older generations uncomfortable. But that questioning is strength, not disrespect. It means they’re thinking. It means they’re awake.What he genuinely admires about them is their honesty.They talk about mental health.They admit when they’re struggling.They don’t pretend to be okay just to look strong.

Quick learners

And digitally? They’re sharp. Fast learners. Adaptable. They pick up skills in weeks that used to take people years.But raw power without direction can self-destruct.“Gen Z is strong,” he says. “Very strong. But strength without discipline and values becomes chaos.”That’s where mentorship comes in.Not lectures.Not shouting.But guidance.Someone to walk with them, not stand above them.

Need alignment

He believes most Gen Z kids don’t need to be fixed.They need to be aligned.With purpose.With discipline.With values.With themselves.Because when that alignment happens?“They won’t just survive,” he says.“They’ll redesign the world.”And honestly, maybe that’s what scares people the most.

Althan and Olpad represent Surat’s emerging real estate regions. Althan has seen a hike in demand because of planned residential buildings, and the upcoming transport projects have only added to the appeal. The region is affordable and easily accessible.

Olpad, on the other hand, is located on the outskirts of Surat. The place is attracting buyers and long-term investment destinations in a big number because of its strategic location. As Surat’s real estate development grows, Olpad is expected to benefit a great deal.

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Preparedness is as important as infrastructure. Fire drills in high-rise buildings must be conducted periodically to ensure orderly evacuation, while all firefighting systems, pumps, alarms, sprinklers, and detectors, require routine inspection and testing. Continuous maintenance, record-keeping, and emergency planning significantly improve response during real incidents.

A combination of early fire detection systems, effective fire suppression systems, fire-safe building evacuation methods, fire-resistant building structures, and fire preparation drills ensures that fire safety is comprehensive in residential complexes. Such safety measures guarantee members of housing communities protection against one of the biggest fire threats they face. By prioritising fire safety, members of housing communities can make their fire-safe homes a reality.

Image Credit: Canva