The Gaekwads (also spelled Gaekwar or Gaikwad) were a prominent Hindu Maratha dynasty that ruled the princely state of Baroda (modern Vadodara, Gujarat) from the early 18th century until India's independence in 1947. Emerging as military commanders in the Maratha Empire, they transformed Baroda into one of British India's wealthiest and most progressive states, renowned for its cotton trade, rice, wheat, and sugar production. The dynasty's rulers, titled Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda, enjoyed a 21-gun salute and managed relations with the British through the Baroda Residency. Their legacy endures in Vadodara's architecture, institutions, and cultural heritage. Origins and Foundation The Gaekwads originated from a Maratha clan in present-day Maharashtra, traditionally ranked as Kshatriyas (warriors). Their family name is believed to derive from "Gāyakavāḍa," possibly linked to "gae-kaiwari" (protector of cows), reflecting their pastoral and martial roots...

Vadodara Sitting on a Medical Time Bomb In the heart of Gujarat's most cultured city, a silent disaster is waiting to explode. Hundreds of gleaming multi-speciality hospitals, nursing homes and ICU centres line the streets of Sayajigunj, Alkapuri, Akota, Gotri, Atladara and New VIP Road. To the common man, they look like symbols of modern healthcare. In reality, most of them are illegal concrete jungles running on fake papers and political protection. These are not roadside quack clinics. Many are 50- to 300-bed facilities with ventilators, modular operation theatres, cath labs and dialysis units, yet almost every one of them openly violates: - Gujarat Nursing Home Registration Act   - Biomedical Waste Management Rules   - Mandatory Fire NOC   - Building Use permission from Vadodara Municipal Corporation   - Clinical Establishments Act   - In several cases, even basic registration of doctors with the Gujarat Medical Council   How do they survive? Simple. They start as a small 500 s...

Across oceans and centuries, two terrifying yet benevolent figures stand at the threshold of the human and the divine, leaning on a staff, surrounded by dogs, holding the keys to every door that matters. One is worshipped from Port-au-Prince to New Orleans; the other from Varanasi to the cremation grounds in Nepal. Their names are Papa Legba and Kala Bhairava, and once you place their myths side by side, the similarities are impossible to ignore. To read full article click https://aghoristories.com/bhairav-rahasya/bhairav-rahashya-%e0%a4%ad%e0%a5%88%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%b5-%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%b9%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%af/