India's hypersonic missile program is poised to surpass global capabilities within five years. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing technology under the "Vishnu" initiative, aiming to develop two long-range hypersonic missile systems. One of the most

India's Hypersonic Missile Program to Outpace Global Capabilities

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday.

Police recovered the statue from Boro Goali village in Cumilla district, The Daily Star newspaper reported.

The height of the black stone statue is about 23 inches and its width is 9.5 inches. It weighs about 12kg.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/japan-marks-hiroshima-bomb-anniversary-with-low-key-ceremonies-403321#call-for-world-peace-403312">Also read |&nbsp;Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies</a>

Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station, said: "A teacher named Abu Yusuf found the statue one and a half months ago. But he didn't inform us. On secret information, we recovered it from his house on Monday night."

However, Yusuf said: "I noticed this statue about 20-22 days ago while digging soil from a pond... We could not inform the police as we were busy with work."

"The unearthed Lord Vishnu statue is very valuable. It is possibly more than 1,000 years old. It should be immediately handed over to Mainamati museum for proper preservation," Ataur Rahman, former regional director of Chattogram divisional archaeology department, said.

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday.

A black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, has been recovered by police in Bangladesh from a teacher, according to a media report on Thursday. Police recovered the statue from Boro Goali village in Cumilla district, The Daily Star newspaper reported. The height of the black stone statue is about 23 inches and its width is 9.5 inches. It weighs about 12kg. Also read | Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station, said: "A teacher named Abu Yusuf found the statue one and a half months ago. But he didn't inform us. On secret information, we recovered it from his house on Monday night." However, Yusuf said: "I noticed this statue about 20-22 days ago while digging soil from a pond... We could not inform the police as we were busy with work." "The unearthed Lord Vishnu statue is very valuable. It is possibly more than 1,000 years old. It should be immediately handed over to Mainamati museum for proper preservation," Ataur Rahman, former regional director of Chattogram divisional archaeology department, said.

Bangladesh police recover Lord Vishnu's centuries-old black stone statue

A Hindu temple has been discovered in Pakistan's Swat district by a group of&nbsp;Pakistani and Italian archaeological experts.

The discovery was announced on November 19&nbsp;after an excavation project&nbsp;at Barikot Ghundai. The discovered temple is believed to be 1300&nbsp;years old and was built during the Hindu Shahi period. The temple is believed to be of Lord Vishnu.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-hindu-temple-in-uaes-abu-dhabi-set-to-be-completed-in-2022-342236">First Hindu temple in UAE's Abu Dhabi set to be completed in 2022</a>

The Hindu Shahis or Kabul Shahis (850-1026 CE) was a Hindu dynasty that ruled the Kabul Valley (eastern Afghanistan), Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan), and present-day northwestern India.

This temple was found by the experts at&nbsp;a mountain in northwest Pakistan’s Swat district. They also found traces of&nbsp;cantonment and watchtowers near the temple site. A water tank was also found near the site of the newly discovered temple site, which the experts believe was being used by the Hindus for bathing before worshipping to Lord Vishnu.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-goddess-durgas-idol-vandalised-in-nagarparkar-after-navratri-337712">&nbsp;Pakistan: Goddess Durga's idol vandalised in Nagarparkar after Navratri</a>

This is the first temple of the&nbsp;Ghandhara civilisation to be discovered in this region, Dr. Luka, head of the Italian archaeological mission informed.&nbsp;Swat district, however, has been home to a few more thousand-year-old archaeological sites, but the traces of previous existence of&nbsp;Hindu Shahi period have been discovered for the first time.

Swat district is known for its tourist attractions which include cultural, religious and&nbsp;archaeological sites, and also adorns beautiful natural beauty.&nbsp;Several places of worship of Buddhism are also situated in Swat district.

A Hindu temple has been discovered in Pakistan's Swat district by a group of Pakistani and Italian archaeological experts. The discovery was announced on November 19 after an excavation project at Barikot Ghundai.

A Hindu temple has been discovered in Pakistan's Swat district by a group of Pakistani and Italian archaeological experts. The discovery was announced on November 19 after an excavation project at Barikot Ghundai. The discovered temple is believed to be 1300 years old and was built during the Hindu Shahi period. The temple is believed to be of Lord Vishnu. Also read| First Hindu temple in UAE's Abu Dhabi set to be completed in 2022 The Hindu Shahis or Kabul Shahis (850-1026 CE) was a Hindu dynasty that ruled the Kabul Valley (eastern Afghanistan), Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan), and present-day northwestern India. This temple was found by the experts at a mountain in northwest Pakistan’s Swat district. They also found traces of cantonment and watchtowers near the temple site. A water tank was also found near the site of the newly discovered temple site, which the experts believe was being used by the Hindus for bathing before worshipping to Lord Vishnu. Also read| Pakistan: Goddess Durga's idol vandalised in Nagarparkar after Navratri This is the first temple of the Ghandhara civilisation to be discovered in this region, Dr. Luka, head of the Italian archaeological mission informed. Swat district, however, has been home to a few more thousand-year-old archaeological sites, but the traces of previous existence of Hindu Shahi period have been discovered for the first time. Swat district is known for its tourist attractions which include cultural, religious and archaeological sites, and also adorns beautiful natural beauty. Several places of worship of Buddhism are also situated in Swat district.

Pakistan: 1300 year old ancient Hindu temple discovered in Swat district

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/thailands-new-queen-flight-attendant-to-bodyguard-to-royalty-215386&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjFuPPr9fzhAhWBo48KHfMDARAQFjAFegQIBBAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ooQplssbqqUQoR8EPReEU">Thailand`s </a>King <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-king-names-his-consort-queen-days-before-coronation-215170&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimvYea9vzhAhULuo8KHaGNDEwQFjAEegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0IX4g59oEd1t9KFehOfGn2">Maha Vajiralongkorn</a> on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-set-for-coronation-of-king-rama-x-first-in-69-years-215364&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimvYea9vzhAhULuo8KHaGNDEwQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3fpouABYPnQZQTuMGpVOEn">official coronation</a> this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty.

In a tradition dating to the 18th century, the Chakri kings have held the formal title Rama, after an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana.&nbsp;

Here are details of the nine previous kings in the dynasty:

Rama I - King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (born 1737-died 1809)

Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke founded the Chakri dynasty and established Bangkok as the capital of Siam, as Thailand was known, in 1782.&nbsp;

He ruled for 27 years and is best known for repelling the last major Burmese attack on Siam, known as the Nine Armies` Wars, from 1785 to 1786.

Rama II - King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (1767-1824)

King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai succeeded his father in 1809 and ruled for almost 15 years.

His reign was more peaceful.

Art and literature flourished.

The king was an avid composer of poetry, plays and songs.&nbsp;

The most notable poet under the king`s patronage was Sunthorn Phu, known as the "the Shakespeare of Thailand" for his role in literature.

Rama III - King Phra Nangklao (1788-1851)

King Phra Nangklao reformed the tax and treasury system and oversaw a boom in trade with China during his 27-year rule from 1824.

Siam renewed official contacts with western powers for the first time since the late Ayutthaya period, and supported the British in their first Anglo-Burmese War in 1824.&nbsp;

The king did not name a successor and the throne passed to his half-brother.

Rama IV - King Mongkut (1804-1868)

Probably the best-known king of Siam in the West, Mongkut was portrayed in the 1951 Broadway musical "The King and I" and later in a 1956 Hollywood film.&nbsp;

Under growing Western pressure during his 17-year reign, Mongkut signed the Bowring Treaty with the British Empire that abolished a royal monopoly over foreign trade.&nbsp;

Mongkut later died from malaria that he contracted while on an expedition to see a total eclipse of the sun.&nbsp;

Rama V - King Chulalongkorn (1853-1910)

The 42-year reign of King Chulalongkorn, the son of Mongkut, was known for a modernization drive and abolition of slavery.

He also ceded territories to Western powers, including Laos and Cambodia to France, and the Malay sultanates of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis to Britain.

Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese king to send royal princes to study in Europe. He visited twice and presented Siam as a modern nation to European rulers.

Rama VI - King Vajiravudh (1881-1925)

Vajiravudh`s reign was characterized by the creation and promotion of Siamese nationalism.

He modernized the military and sent troops to join Allied forces in World War One.&nbsp;

He quashed an attempted coup in 1912 by disgruntled military officers who accused the king of financial extravagances and sought to establish a democratic rule.&nbsp;

Rama VII - King Prajadhipok (1893-1941)

Prajadhipok was Siam`s last absolute monarch and its first constitutional monarch after the Siamese Revolution of 1932.

Educated at Eton, he succeeded his brother in 1926. Six years later a group of military officers and civil servants initiated a near bloodless coup.

Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935 and spent the rest of his life with his wife in England.

The couple had no children.

Rama VIII - King Ananda Mahidol (1925-1946)

Ananda ascended to the throne after his uncle abdicated. His father, Prince Mahidol, was a son of King Chulalongkorn.

Ananda was nine years old and studying in Switzerland when he was chosen to succeed Prajadhipok.

The government changed the country`s name to Thailand in 1939.

In 1946, Ananda, 20, was found shot dead in his bedroom inside Bangkok`s Grand Palace in mysterious circumstances, four days before his planned return to school in Switzerland.&nbsp;

Rama IX - King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016)

Bhumibol succeeded his brother in 1946 and reigned for 70 years, the world`s longest reigning monarch when he died.

The American-born king became the face of Thailand, blending tradition with modernity and travelling the world with Queen Sirikit.

During his reign, the country had 30 prime ministers, 10 successful military coups and 17 constitutions.

His intervention in several political crises helped to end the bloodshed.&nbsp;

He was awarded the United Nations` first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 3,000 royal development projects.&nbsp;

Thailand`s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his official coronation this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty.

Thailand`s King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday paid tribute to his ancestors in a ceremony ahead of his official coronation this weekend, when he will take the formal title King Rama X, the 10th king in the Chakri dynasty. In a tradition dating to the 18th century, the Chakri kings have held the formal title Rama, after an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana. Here are details of the nine previous kings in the dynasty: Rama I - King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (born 1737-died 1809) Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke founded the Chakri dynasty and established Bangkok as the capital of Siam, as Thailand was known, in 1782. He ruled for 27 years and is best known for repelling the last major Burmese attack on Siam, known as the Nine Armies` Wars, from 1785 to 1786. Rama II - King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (1767-1824) King Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai succeeded his father in 1809 and ruled for almost 15 years. His reign was more peaceful. Art and literature flourished. The king was an avid composer of poetry, plays and songs. The most notable poet under the king`s patronage was Sunthorn Phu, known as the "the Shakespeare of Thailand" for his role in literature. Rama III - King Phra Nangklao (1788-1851) King Phra Nangklao reformed the tax and treasury system and oversaw a boom in trade with China during his 27-year rule from 1824. Siam renewed official contacts with western powers for the first time since the late Ayutthaya period, and supported the British in their first Anglo-Burmese War in 1824. The king did not name a successor and the throne passed to his half-brother. Rama IV - King Mongkut (1804-1868) Probably the best-known king of Siam in the West, Mongkut was portrayed in the 1951 Broadway musical "The King and I" and later in a 1956 Hollywood film. Under growing Western pressure during his 17-year reign, Mongkut signed the Bowring Treaty with the British Empire that abolished a royal monopoly over foreign trade. Mongkut later died from malaria that he contracted while on an expedition to see a total eclipse of the sun. Rama V - King Chulalongkorn (1853-1910) The 42-year reign of King Chulalongkorn, the son of Mongkut, was known for a modernization drive and abolition of slavery. He also ceded territories to Western powers, including Laos and Cambodia to France, and the Malay sultanates of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis to Britain. Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese king to send royal princes to study in Europe. He visited twice and presented Siam as a modern nation to European rulers. Rama VI - King Vajiravudh (1881-1925) Vajiravudh`s reign was characterized by the creation and promotion of Siamese nationalism. He modernized the military and sent troops to join Allied forces in World War One. He quashed an attempted coup in 1912 by disgruntled military officers who accused the king of financial extravagances and sought to establish a democratic rule. Rama VII - King Prajadhipok (1893-1941) Prajadhipok was Siam`s last absolute monarch and its first constitutional monarch after the Siamese Revolution of 1932. Educated at Eton, he succeeded his brother in 1926. Six years later a group of military officers and civil servants initiated a near bloodless coup. Prajadhipok abdicated in 1935 and spent the rest of his life with his wife in England. The couple had no children. Rama VIII - King Ananda Mahidol (1925-1946) Ananda ascended to the throne after his uncle abdicated. His father, Prince Mahidol, was a son of King Chulalongkorn. Ananda was nine years old and studying in Switzerland when he was chosen to succeed Prajadhipok. The government changed the country`s name to Thailand in 1939. In 1946, Ananda, 20, was found shot dead in his bedroom inside Bangkok`s Grand Palace in mysterious circumstances, four days before his planned return to school in Switzerland. Rama IX - King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016) Bhumibol succeeded his brother in 1946 and reigned for 70 years, the world`s longest reigning monarch when he died. The American-born king became the face of Thailand, blending tradition with modernity and travelling the world with Queen Sirikit. During his reign, the country had 30 prime ministers, 10 successful military coups and 17 constitutions. His intervention in several political crises helped to end the bloodshed. He was awarded the United Nations` first Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 3,000 royal development projects.

The 10 Ramas: The kings of Thailand's Chakri dynasty

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods.

With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva.

The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power.

Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two.

Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj.

In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. 
 
With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'.

He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April.

The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters.

UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this."

The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said.

"The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)."

"We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple."

Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it.

Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations.

A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.&nbsp;

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva. The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two. Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj. In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'. He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April. The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters. UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this." The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said. "The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)." "We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple." Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it. Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations. A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.

As BJP sticks to Ram, SP picks Vishnu, Congress Shiva for luck in 2019 polls

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