Sarojini Naidu Weekly Express

🚆 Sarojini Naidu Weekly Express

Your Weekly Dose of General Knowledge and Competitive Preparation

💡 Motivational Quote

“Dreams are not what you see in sleep. Dreams are those that do not let you sleep” – Abdul Kalam

🗺️ Map of the Week

This week we are going to read about the 16 Mahajanapadas. During the 6th century BCE, a significant political transformation occurred in ancient India with the emergence of sixteen major states, known as the Mahajanapadas. These were the prominent kingdoms and republics that formed the socio-political landscape before the dominance of the Magadha empire. The Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya is a key source that mentions these sixteen Mahajanapadas.

1. Magadha
Capital: Rajagriha, later Pataliputra (Bihar) – Most powerful; home to Bimbisara, Ajatashatru.

2. Kosala
– Capital: Shravasti (UP) – King Prasenajit; rival to Magadha.

3. Vatsa
– Capital: Kausambi (near Allahabad) – Ruled by Udayana.

4. Avanti
– Capital: Ujjayini (MP) – Major western kingdom.

5. Kuru
– Capital: Hastinapur or Indraprastha (Delhi-UP region) – Known from Vedic texts.

6. Panchala
– Capitals: Ahichhatra (North) & Kampilya (South) – Philosophical center.

7. Matsya
– Capital: Viratanagara (Rajasthan) – Linked to Mahabharata.

8. Chedi
– Capital: Suktimati (MP) – King Shishupala's kingdom.

9. Anga
– Capital: Champa (Bihar) – Prosperous; annexed by Magadha.

10. Gandhara
– Capital: Taxila (Pakistan) – Famous for learning and Gandhara art.

11. Kamboja
– Capital: Rajapura (Kashmir-Afghanistan region) – Known for cavalry.

12. Asmaka
– Capital: Potana (Telangana-Maharashtra) – Only southern Mahajanapada.

13. Vajji
– Capital: Vaishali (Bihar) – Early republic; Lichchhavi clan.

14. Malla
– Capitals: Kusinara and Pava (UP) – Buddha passed away in Kusinara.

15. Surasena
– Capital: Mathura (UP) – Krishna’s cultural center.

16. Bhoja
– Capital: Mrittikavati (likely Bundelkhand) – Less known, linked to Yadavas.

📚 Weekly Competitive Theme

Theme: Important Constitutional Amendments

This week's theme mainly focuses on the major constitutional amendemnets since independence

Important Constitutional Amendments of the Indian Constitution

Since independence, the Constitution of India has undergone many amendments to adapt to changing times. Here are some of the most significant ones that every citizen and aspirant should know.

1st Amendment Act, 1951

Added restrictions on freedom of speech, enabled land reform laws by inserting Articles 31A and 31B, and protected them under the Ninth Schedule.

7th Amendment Act, 1956

Abolished the classification of states into Part A, B, C, and D. Introduced Union Territories and reorganized states on a linguistic basis.

24th Amendment Act, 1971

Affirmed Parliament's power to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights. Made constitutional amendments immune to judicial review.

25th Amendment Act, 1971

Curtailed the right to property. Inserted Article 31C to prioritize Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights in certain cases.

42nd Amendment Act, 1976

Known as the "Mini Constitution." Added the words "Socialist," "Secular," and "Integrity" to the Preamble. Reduced judicial review powers and strengthened central authority.

44th Amendment Act, 1978

Reversed many provisions of the 42nd Amendment. Restored civil liberties and made it harder to declare Emergency. Property right was removed from Fundamental Rights and became a legal right.

52nd Amendment Act, 1985

Introduced the Anti-Defection Law by adding the Tenth Schedule, disqualifying elected members on grounds of defection.

61st Amendment Act, 1989

Reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

73rd Amendment Act, 1992

Provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. Introduced the Eleventh Schedule and Articles 243 to 243O.

74th Amendment Act, 1992

Empowered Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities) and introduced the Twelfth Schedule listing their functions.

86th Amendment Act, 2002

Made education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14 years under Article 21A.

91st Amendment Act, 2003

Restricted the size of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total strength of the legislature. Disallowed defectors from holding ministerial posts.

101st Amendment Act, 2016

Introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a major economic reform that unified indirect taxes across the country.

103rd Amendment Act, 2019

Provided 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the general category.

104th Amendment Act, 2020

Extended the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by another 10 years, but ended Anglo-Indian seat reservation.

📖 Book Summary of the Week

Book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

This book is a powerful guide to taking control of your emotions, finances, relationships, and life. Tony Robbins shows how to shape your destiny through better decisions and consistent actions.

Core Message

The main idea is that lasting change comes from making a true decision and following it with action. You already have the power inside you — the giant — and you must awaken it with discipline and passion.

Key Lessons from the Book

1. The Power of Decision

Your decisions, not your conditions, determine your destiny. Every decision you make has the power to change your life instantly.

2. Change Your Beliefs

Beliefs shape your reality. By identifying and changing limiting beliefs, you unlock massive personal growth and freedom.

3. Neuro-Associative Conditioning (NAC)

This is Tony’s 6-step method to create lasting change by linking massive pain to negative habits and pleasure to positive habits.

4. Raise Your Standards

If you want to improve your life, raise the standards you set for yourself. Demand more from your daily habits, thinking, and focus.

5. Control Your Emotions

You can master any emotion by identifying its trigger, shifting your focus, and changing your physical state.

6. Ask Better Questions

Your brain answers whatever you ask. Instead of “Why am I failing?” ask “How can I grow from this?” This transforms your thinking.

7. Identity is Key

How you define yourself controls your behavior. Change your identity to match the person you want to become.

Memorable Quotes

"It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped."
"If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten."
"Success is doing what you want, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as much as you want."

🏅 Top Performers of the Week

Weekly Winner
1.C. Harshavardhan, II B.Sc
360 points (23/07/2025 to 29/07/2025)
Contributions: 36 questions, news articles, and more.

2. G. Hemanth, II B.Sc
350 points
Contributions: 35 questions, news articles, etc.

3. G. Manikanta, II B.Sc
140 points
Contributions: 14 questions, news, prathibha insights.

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