Things You Should Know - Episode XVIII

• N. M. Ghatate, a senior lawyer at the Supreme Court and a close friend of Atal
  
  
  
  Bihari Vajpayee (right), recalled that after the BJP-led NDA’s defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, one of the private secretaries came to Vajpayee to say he was trying to check on the protocol for vacating the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Race Course Road. “Vajpayee simply said 'pata kya karna hai, bistar bandho aur niklo' (What is there to find out? Let’s pack our bags and move out),” he said. Read the short piece here. 

• Hitachi was founded by Namihei Odaira as an electrical repair shop in 1910. Hitachi means 'rising sun': hi meaning 'sun' and tachi meaning 'rise'. The young company's national aspirations were conveyed by its original brand mark, which evoked Japan's imperial rising sun flag.

• VIAO is a brand of technology products owned by Sony. Viao stands for Video Audio Integration Operation. 

• The Philippines was named in honour of King Philip II of Spain. 

• The European Union flag was adopted by the Council of Europe in 1986. It consists of a circle of twelve gold stars on a blue background. The number twelve represents perfection and completeness.