India, Oct. 26 -- A visit to the beautiful state of Karnataka that I am privileged to represent in the Council of States - a land whose very name evokes images of lush green landscapes, waterfalls, ancient hills, verdant valleys, pristine rivers, and a history that stretches back millennia - is always invigorating. This visit was a journey through time, a study in contrasts, and a powerful reminder of our nation's immense potential.

My first stop was the historical site of Hampi, located in the newly formed Vijayanagara district. The ruins of Hampi stirred in me both awe and melancholy. Once the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi was described by the Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes, who visited around 1520-22 during ...