https://namasivayam.in/Articles on life, health, money, technology, cinema, culture and travel by Namasivayam Vadivelan. en-INSat, 17 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530 https://namasivayam.in/blog/ctc-vs-in-hand-salary.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/ctc-vs-in-hand-salary.htmlSat, 17 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneyA ₹15 lakh CTC doesn’t mean ₹1.25 lakh a month in your account. A simple breakdown of CTC, gross and in-hand salary — PF, tax, gratuity and more — so you can compare job offers properly. https://namasivayam.in/blog/el-nino-2026-explained.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/el-nino-2026-explained.htmlFri, 16 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530World & Science2026’s monsoon ended about 13% below normal — the weakest since 2015 — as a strong El Niño built up in the Pacific. What El Niño is, how it affects India, and what to expect in the coming months. https://namasivayam.in/blog/how-ai-chatbots-work.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/how-ai-chatbots-work.htmlThu, 15 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyAI chatbots can write emails, explain code and plan trips. But how do they really work, why do they sometimes confidently get things wrong, and how should you use them wisely? https://namasivayam.in/blog/phone-free-sunday.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/phone-free-sunday.htmlThu, 15 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530LifeI switched off my phone for one full Sunday. The first hour was hard, the rest of the day was the calmest I’d had in months. Here’s what happened, and how you can try it too. https://namasivayam.in/blog/hidden-sugar-food-labels.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/hidden-sugar-food-labels.htmlWed, 14 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530HealthSugar hides in biscuits, sauces, "healthy" drinks and even bread. Here is a simple two-minute way to read the label and catch it. https://namasivayam.in/blog/passkeys-explained.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/passkeys-explained.htmlTue, 13 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyGoogle, Apple and Microsoft now let you sign in with passkeys instead of passwords. What a passkey is, why it can’t be phished, and how to set one up in five minutes. https://namasivayam.in/blog/sukanya-samriddhi-guide.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/sukanya-samriddhi-guide.htmlTue, 13 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneySukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers 8.2% interest (Oct–Dec 2026) and tax benefits for a girl child’s future. Who can open it, how much to deposit, when it matures — explained simply. https://namasivayam.in/blog/deep-work-habits.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/deep-work-habits.htmlMon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530WorkMeetings, chats and “quick questions” can eat a whole day. Seven simple habits that helped me protect focused time and finish real work before evening. https://namasivayam.in/blog/home-loan-basics-reduce-interest.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/home-loan-basics-reduce-interest.htmlMon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneyA home loan can cost you more in interest than the loan itself. Understand EMI, floating rates and the latest repo rate move — and learn simple prepayment tricks that can save lakhs. https://namasivayam.in/blog/spot-political-misinformation-deepfakes.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/spot-political-misinformation-deepfakes.htmlMon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530PoliticsClipped videos, fake polls, invented quotes and AI deepfakes of leaders — political misinformation is everywhere. Simple habits to check claims, read news fairly, and use official sources, whatever your political views. https://namasivayam.in/blog/heart-rate-zones-guide.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/heart-rate-zones-guide.htmlSun, 11 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530HealthWhy some days you should exercise slower to get fitter. A simple guide to heart rate zones, how to find yours, and how to use them for walking, running and weight loss. https://namasivayam.in/blog/public-wifi-safety.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/public-wifi-safety.htmlSun, 11 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyFree Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can expose your data to strangers on the same network. Eight simple rules to stay safe on airport, café, railway and hotel Wi-Fi. https://namasivayam.in/blog/daily-walk-habit.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/daily-walk-habit.htmlSat, 10 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530HealthNo gym, no equipment, no fees. Why a daily 30-minute walk is the easiest health habit to start — and how to make it stick. https://namasivayam.in/blog/colour-tips-for-everyone.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/colour-tips-for-everyone.htmlFri, 09 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyYou don’t need to be a designer to use colour well. Simple rules for choosing colours, building a palette and making text easy to read — with free tools to help. https://namasivayam.in/blog/deepfake-voice-scams.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/deepfake-voice-scams.htmlFri, 09 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyScammers can now copy a loved one’s voice or face with AI and call asking for urgent money. How these deepfake scams work, the warning signs, and a simple family code word that stops them. https://namasivayam.in/blog/better-sleep-habits.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/better-sleep-habits.htmlThu, 08 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530HealthLate nights, screens and stress steal our sleep — and our health pays the price. Why adults need 7 or more hours, and simple habits that help you sleep better tonight. https://namasivayam.in/blog/cloud-computing-explained.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/cloud-computing-explained.htmlWed, 07 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530Technology“It’s in the cloud” — but what is the cloud, really? A simple explanation of cloud computing, IaaS, PaaS and SaaS using an everyday house-renting example. https://namasivayam.in/blog/upi-otp-scam-safety.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/upi-otp-scam-safety.htmlTue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyMost online frauds don't hack your phone — they trick you into helping them. Seven simple rules every family member should know, and what to do in the first hour if something goes wrong. https://namasivayam.in/blog/slow-phone-fixes.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/slow-phone-fixes.htmlMon, 05 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyA slow, laggy phone doesn’t always need replacing. Ten practical fixes — storage, apps, updates, battery and more — that can make your phone feel faster today. https://namasivayam.in/blog/backup-photos-3-2-1.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/backup-photos-3-2-1.htmlSun, 04 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyPhones get lost, stolen or damaged — and years of family photos can disappear in a second. The easy 3-2-1 backup rule, explained for everyday users. https://namasivayam.in/blog/digital-legacy-plan.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/digital-legacy-plan.htmlSat, 03 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyPhotos, emails, bank apps, social media — our lives are online now. A simple, caring plan so your family can access what matters if something happens to you. https://namasivayam.in/blog/start-early-sip.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/start-early-sip.htmlFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneyTwo people invest the same ₹4.8 lakh. One ends up with more than double the other. The only difference is when they started — a simple lesson about time, patience and compounding. https://namasivayam.in/blog/electric-vehicles-india-buying-guide.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/electric-vehicles-india-buying-guide.htmlThu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530TechnologyThinking of an electric scooter or car? Real range vs claimed range, home charging, battery warranty, running costs and the 2026 subsidies and tax benefits — explained simply. https://namasivayam.in/blog/epf-explained-simply.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/epf-explained-simply.htmlThu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneyYour PF deduction is one of your biggest savings. Understand how EPF works, the 8.25% interest, the new ₹25,000 wage ceiling, and the simplified withdrawal rules — in plain words. https://namasivayam.in/blog/emergency-fund-first.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/emergency-fund-first.htmlWed, 30 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530MoneyBefore investing, before upgrading the phone — build an emergency fund. How much you need, where to keep it, and how to build it step by step on a normal salary. https://namasivayam.in/blog/saying-no-at-work.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/saying-no-at-work.htmlMon, 28 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530WorkSaying yes to everything feels helpful, until your own work and health suffer. How to say no politely, protect your time, and still be the person everyone trusts. https://namasivayam.in/blog/great-tamil-temples-architecture.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/great-tamil-temples-architecture.htmlSun, 27 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530CultureWhy do Tamil temples have giant gateway towers? What makes the Thanjavur Big Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site? A simple guide to gopurams, vimanas, mandapams and the genius of Tamil temple builders. https://namasivayam.in/blog/kids-screen-time.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/kids-screen-time.htmlSun, 27 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530LifePhones keep kids quiet — but at what cost? What WHO recommends for young children, warning signs to watch, and simple family rules that actually work. https://namasivayam.in/blog/gully-cricket-teamwork.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/gully-cricket-teamwork.htmlSat, 26 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530SportsA tennis ball, a broken bat and a street full of rules. The leadership and teamwork lessons I first learned in gully cricket still guide me at work today. https://namasivayam.in/blog/cricket-lessons-pressure.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/cricket-lessons-pressure.htmlThu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530SportsLast over, twelve runs needed, a full stadium watching. What great cricketers do in that moment — and how the same lessons help us at work and in life. https://namasivayam.in/blog/emails-people-read.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/emails-people-read.htmlTue, 22 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530WorkLong, unclear emails get ignored. A simple structure for writing clear work emails — subject lines, first lines, asks and follow-ups — that get faster replies. https://namasivayam.in/blog/play-a-sport-again.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/play-a-sport-again.htmlFri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530SportsMost of us stop playing sports after college and only watch from the sofa. Why picking up a sport again — badminton, cricket, football or anything — is great for your body, mind and friendships. https://namasivayam.in/blog/pan-indian-films-dubbing-language.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/pan-indian-films-dubbing-language.htmlTue, 15 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530CinemaFrom Roja in the 1990s to Baahubali, KGF and Pushpa, Indian films now cross language borders easily. How dubbing, subtitles and streaming made cinema truly pan-Indian. https://namasivayam.in/blog/rooftop-solar-pm-surya-ghar.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/rooftop-solar-pm-surya-ghar.htmlSat, 12 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530World & ScienceCan solar panels on your roof cut your electricity bill to near zero? How rooftop solar works, the PM Surya Ghar subsidy of up to ₹78,000, and what to check before you install. https://namasivayam.in/blog/kabaddi-silambam-traditional-tamil-sports.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/kabaddi-silambam-traditional-tamil-sports.htmlSat, 05 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0530SportsBefore cricket bats and video games, our streets echoed with “sadugudu”. A warm look at kabaddi, silambam, uriyadi, pallanguzhi and other traditional Tamil games — and why our children should play them. https://namasivayam.in/blog/isro-journey-chandrayaan-aditya-gaganyaan.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/isro-journey-chandrayaan-aditya-gaganyaan.htmlSun, 23 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0530World & ScienceOn National Space Day, a look back at how India landed near the Moon’s south pole, sent an observatory to watch the Sun, and is preparing to fly its own astronauts with Gaganyaan. https://namasivayam.in/blog/travelling-with-elderly-parents.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/travelling-with-elderly-parents.htmlSun, 23 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0530TravelOur parents once carried us on every trip. Now it is our turn. Practical tips on choosing places, booking trains and flights, medicines, comfort and pace when travelling with elderly parents. https://namasivayam.in/blog/meetings-that-dont-waste-time.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/meetings-that-dont-waste-time.htmlWed, 12 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0530WorkToo many meetings, too few decisions. Simple rules for better meetings — whether you are the organiser or just an attendee — so work actually moves forward. https://namasivayam.in/blog/aadi-perukku-respect-for-water.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/aadi-perukku-respect-for-water.htmlThu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0530CultureOn the 18th day of Aadi, Tamil families gather on riverbanks to thank the Cauvery and other rivers for the monsoon’s gift. What Aadi Perukku means, how it is celebrated and what it teaches about water. https://namasivayam.in/blog/how-social-media-algorithms-work.htmlhttps://namasivayam.in/blog/how-social-media-algorithms-work.htmlSat, 11 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0530Social MediaWhy does your feed show cooking reels one week and cricket clips the next? A simple explanation of how social media algorithms work, and how you can take back some control.