/* main container - adds subtle depth to scene */
        .hydra-container {
            max-width: 1400px;
            margin: 0 auto;
            width: 100%;
        }

        /* 3D perspective base: each column creates independent 3D space */
        .perspective-col {
            perspective: 1400px;
            perspective-origin: center;
            margin-bottom: 2rem;
        }

        /* CARD STYLES – 3D ready, smooth transitions, glassmorphic + modern */
        .card-3d {
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.96);
            backdrop-filter: blur(0px);
            border-radius: 2rem;
            padding: 2rem 1.8rem;
            box-shadow: 0 25px 45px -12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25), 0 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.02);
            transition: all 0.45s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.9, 0.4, 1.1);
            transform-style: preserve-3d;
            will-change: transform, box-shadow;
            height: 100%;
            border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
            position: relative;
            /* subtle inner glow for extra dimension */
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ffffff 0%, #fefefe 100%);
        }

        /* 3D HOVER ANIMATION: rotation on X & Y + lift + scale + deeper shadow */
        .perspective-col:hover .card-3d {
            /*transform: rotateX(5deg) rotateY(6deg) translateY(-12px) scale(1.02);*/
            box-shadow: 0 35px 55px -18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4), 0 8px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
            border-color: rgba(0, 110, 230, 0.3);
            background: #ffffff;
        }

        /* optional: different rotation direction for second card? symmetry looks great, but both have same high-end 3D feel */
        /* but for extra nuance, second card gets a slightly different rotation on hover (mirrored elegance) */
        /* this preserves individuality but still same "3d animated two columns" requirement */
        .perspective-col:last-child:hover .card-3d {
            /*transform: rotateX(5deg) rotateY(-6deg) translateY(-12px) scale(1.02);*/
        }

        /* card heading style: mission & vision */
        .card-title {
            font-size: 25px;
            font-weight: 800;
            letter-spacing: -0.02em;
            background: #000;
            background-clip: text;
            -webkit-background-clip: text;
            color: transparent;
            margin-bottom: 1.8rem;
            padding-bottom: 0.75rem;
            border-bottom: 3px solid;
            /*border-image: linear-gradient(95deg, #1E88E5, #64B5F6);*/
            border-image-slice: 1;
            border-bottom-style: solid;
            display: inline-block;
            width: auto;
            position: relative;
            text-transform: uppercase;
        }

        /* custom list styling - pure content, no extra text, exactly given statements */
        .mission-list, .vision-list {
            list-style: none;
            padding: 0;
            margin: 0;
            display: flex;
            flex-direction: column;
            gap: 1.35rem;
        }

        .list-item {
            font-size: 1.05rem;
            font-weight: 500;
            line-height: 1.45;
            color: #1E2F3E;
            display: flex;
            align-items: flex-start;
            gap: 0.75rem;
            transition: transform 0.2s ease, color 0.2s;
            padding: 0.2rem 0;
        }

        /* subtle micro-animation on list items when card is hovered (enhances "animated" feel) */
        .perspective-col:hover .list-item {
            transform: translateX(5px);
            color: #0A4C6E;
        }

        /* different timing per item? smooth cascade */
        .list-item:nth-child(1) { transition-delay: 0.01s; }
        .list-item:nth-child(2) { transition-delay: 0.03s; }
        .list-item:nth-child(3) { transition-delay: 0.06s; }
        .list-item:nth-child(4) { transition-delay: 0.09s; }

        /* numbering style: keep the number bold and modern */
        .item-number {
            font-weight: 800;
            background: #EFF3F8;
            width: 30px;
            height: 30px;
            display: inline-flex;
            align-items: center;
            justify-content: center;
            border-radius: 12px;
            font-size: 0.9rem;
            color: #0F5B7A;
            flex-shrink: 0;
            box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.02), 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.02);
            transition: all 0.2s;
        }

        .perspective-col:hover .item-number {
            background: #1E88E5;
            color: white;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(30,136,229,0.2);
            transform: scale(1.02);
        }

        .item-text {
            flex: 1;
        }

        /* ensure perfect alignment and readability */
        .card-3d p, .card-3d div {
            margin: 0;
        }

        /* responsive refinements: mobile first + tablet */
        @media (max-width: 991.98px) {
            .hydra-container {
                max-width: 900px;
            }
            .card-title {
                font-size: 1.8rem;
            }
            .list-item {
                font-size: 0.98rem;
                gap: 0.6rem;
            }
            .card-3d {
                padding: 1.8rem 1.5rem;
            }
        }

        @media (max-width: 767.98px) {
            body {
                padding: 2rem 1rem;
            }
            .card-title {
                font-size: 1.7rem;
                margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
            }
            .list-item {
                font-size: 0.95rem;
                gap: 0.65rem;
            }
            .item-number {
                width: 28px;
                height: 28px;
                font-size: 0.8rem;
            }
            .card-3d {
                padding: 1.5rem 1.2rem;
                border-radius: 1.6rem;
            }
            .mission-list, .vision-list {
                gap: 1.1rem;
            }
        }

        /* fine adjustments for very small screens */
        @media (max-width: 480px) {
            .list-item {
                flex-wrap: wrap;
            }
            .item-number {
                align-self: flex-start;
                margin-top: 2px;
            }
            .card-title {
                font-size: 1.5rem;
            }
        }

        /* additional hover 3d effect for the whole card container - smooth transition for all elements */
        .card-3d, .list-item, .item-number {
            transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.9, 0.4, 1.1);
        }

        /* clean & subtle focus states */
        .card-3d:focus-visible {
            outline: 2px solid #1E88E5;
            transform: scale(1.01);
        }

        /* background illusion for floating effect */
        .row {
            margin-top: 0.5rem;
        }

        /* custom scrollbar (optional elegance) */
        ::-webkit-scrollbar {
            width: 8px;
        }
        ::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
            background: #e2e8f0;
            border-radius: 10px;
        }
        ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
            background: #1E88E5;
            border-radius: 10px;
        }