Indian Impressions
Know India a little more with these interesting facts
350 locomotives in 299 days!
The Indian Railways is one of most extensive and busiest rail networks in the world. True. But did you know that it also sets records? Recently, Indian Railways’ Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) achieved a stellar feat of manufacturing 402 locomotives in the year 2018-19 breaking its own record of manufacturing 350 locomotives in 2017-18! This has earned CLW, located in Asansol, West Bengal, an entry into the Limca Book of Records.
Telling time- King size
The vibrant city of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site in itself, but is also home to Samrat Yantra, said to be the biggest sundial in the world. It was built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1728 ACE and stands 73 feet tall. Though indistinguishable in design from other sundials of the time, it was far and away the most accurate. Its two-second interval markings are said to be more precise than even revered French mathematician Phillipe de la Hire’s astronomical tables.
Turtle trails
Declared Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the Olive Ridley turtles are one of a kind. Global warming and its effect on the environment often destroy critical nesting beaches and damage nests of these species. But the Velas beach in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, is one safe haven for Olive Ridley turtles in India. Every year, hundreds of female Olive Ridleys come here to lay eggs. The babies begin to hatch after about two months (generally in March). The babies make their way back to the ocean immediately after birth only to return (only the females) to the same beach years later to lay eggs.