Cricket fans in Orissa distributed sweets Saturday to celebrate the selection of left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha in India's one-day international team for the tri-series in Bangladesh and Asia Cup in Pakistan.
There were celebrations at Shaheed sporting club in Bhubaneswar, the place where Ojha, 21, learnt the basics of the game.
'We are very happy over the selection,' club secretary Pankaj Patnaik told IANS.
'We have high hopes of him and we are confident he will bring glory,' he said.
Born in Khordha near state capital Bhubaneswar, Ojha began his career in cricket as a 13-year-old by becoming a member of the club.
He played many junior tournaments in the state for the club from 1996 to 2000. He had gone to Hyderabad for higher studies, but eventually became a promising cricketer.
His family lives in state capital Bhubaneswar. His father, Maheswar Ojha, works in the Orissa government and his mother, Bidulata, is a homemaker. His younger brother, Prateek, is in college in Hyderabad.
Pragyan is the fourth cricketer from Orissa to be selected to play in the Indian cricket team after Shiv Sunder Das, Debashis Mohanty and Sanjay Roul.
'I congratulate him for his selection. I wish him well for the coming tour,' said Chief Minister Naveen Pantaik here.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
China Daily carries article by Indian ambassador
In an unusual gesture, India's ambassador to Beijing Nirupama Rao has written an article in the China Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese government, to highlight the help and support extended by India to China in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake of May 12 and the growing ties between the two Asian neighbours.
The article published Friday on the op-ed page of the daily is significant as it comes less than a week before External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Beijing to hold talks with the Chinese leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. Mukherjee will be in China June 4-7.
'As ambassadors we have all written pieces in newspapers of countries during our various postings. But I am not sure how many Indian ambassadors have written for the Chinese newspapers during their tenure in Beijing,' former Indian diplomat and an old China-hand Vinod Khanna told IANS Saturday. 'I am glad that they have allowed Nirupama to write her piece.'
In the article titled 'A neighbour and a friend in need', the Indian ambassador referred to the $5 million assistance offered by India to China for relief activities for the victims of the earthquake.
'Realising the need to deliver timely help and supplies to the survivors, many of whom had lost their loved ones, and their homes and belongings, the first plane-load of relief supplies was ferried to Chengdu in an Indian Air Force flight from Guwahati in northeastern India, barely three hours away in terms of flying time, on the afternoon of May 17,' Rao wrote in her article.
The ambassador added: 'That first flight and subsequent flights by the Indian Air Force on the 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, brought urgently needed items like tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready to eat meals, and medicines, among other items. The supplies were handed over immediately on arrival at Chengdu to officials of the Sichuan Civil Affairs Bureau, who are engaged in relief efforts, and transported to the affected counties.'
She also highlighted the significant contribution made by the various Indian companies working in China for the earthquake relief work and also that of Indian firms in Beijing.
The fact that Rao highlighted the number of sorties made by the IAF planes to China is significant. Though China has accepted aid from other countries like Japan, it has not allowed their military aircrafts to enter Chinese airspace.
'It is very unusual for an Indian ambassador to write for the China Daily,' Srikanth Kondapalli, chairperson of the Centre for East Asian Studies in the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, told IANS. 'A number of ambassadors have addressed Chinese thinks tanks and written articles for their publications, but rarely for the China Daily,' he added.
According to him, the fact that she was either invited or allowed to write her piece clearly showed that it had the full support of the leadership in Beijing. 'Only articles that are of strategic importance are published in the China Daily,' he added.
The fact that China Daily is read mainly by the English speaking readers and is meant to address the people outside rather than those within China, shows that the leadership in Beijing was trying to send out a signal to other countries about the growing ties between China and India.
The external affairs minister's visit to China is taking place at a time when a number of anti-Chinese articles, especially about its military build-up and perceived 'incursions' within Indian territories have come out in sections of the Indian media.
'Our friendship with the Chinese people stretches back over thousands of years. It is our belief that we can further consolidate our ties of partnership of men, women, and the children whose lives have been so tragically impacted by the May 12 earthquake,' the Indian ambassador wrote in her piece.
'The brave people of Sichuan have won our hearts with their courage and fortitude. We share their sorrow,' she added.
The article published Friday on the op-ed page of the daily is significant as it comes less than a week before External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Beijing to hold talks with the Chinese leadership to strengthen bilateral ties. Mukherjee will be in China June 4-7.
'As ambassadors we have all written pieces in newspapers of countries during our various postings. But I am not sure how many Indian ambassadors have written for the Chinese newspapers during their tenure in Beijing,' former Indian diplomat and an old China-hand Vinod Khanna told IANS Saturday. 'I am glad that they have allowed Nirupama to write her piece.'
In the article titled 'A neighbour and a friend in need', the Indian ambassador referred to the $5 million assistance offered by India to China for relief activities for the victims of the earthquake.
'Realising the need to deliver timely help and supplies to the survivors, many of whom had lost their loved ones, and their homes and belongings, the first plane-load of relief supplies was ferried to Chengdu in an Indian Air Force flight from Guwahati in northeastern India, barely three hours away in terms of flying time, on the afternoon of May 17,' Rao wrote in her article.
The ambassador added: 'That first flight and subsequent flights by the Indian Air Force on the 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, brought urgently needed items like tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready to eat meals, and medicines, among other items. The supplies were handed over immediately on arrival at Chengdu to officials of the Sichuan Civil Affairs Bureau, who are engaged in relief efforts, and transported to the affected counties.'
She also highlighted the significant contribution made by the various Indian companies working in China for the earthquake relief work and also that of Indian firms in Beijing.
The fact that Rao highlighted the number of sorties made by the IAF planes to China is significant. Though China has accepted aid from other countries like Japan, it has not allowed their military aircrafts to enter Chinese airspace.
'It is very unusual for an Indian ambassador to write for the China Daily,' Srikanth Kondapalli, chairperson of the Centre for East Asian Studies in the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, told IANS. 'A number of ambassadors have addressed Chinese thinks tanks and written articles for their publications, but rarely for the China Daily,' he added.
According to him, the fact that she was either invited or allowed to write her piece clearly showed that it had the full support of the leadership in Beijing. 'Only articles that are of strategic importance are published in the China Daily,' he added.
The fact that China Daily is read mainly by the English speaking readers and is meant to address the people outside rather than those within China, shows that the leadership in Beijing was trying to send out a signal to other countries about the growing ties between China and India.
The external affairs minister's visit to China is taking place at a time when a number of anti-Chinese articles, especially about its military build-up and perceived 'incursions' within Indian territories have come out in sections of the Indian media.
'Our friendship with the Chinese people stretches back over thousands of years. It is our belief that we can further consolidate our ties of partnership of men, women, and the children whose lives have been so tragically impacted by the May 12 earthquake,' the Indian ambassador wrote in her piece.
'The brave people of Sichuan have won our hearts with their courage and fortitude. We share their sorrow,' she added.
Prostitution is killing childhood in northeast, says study
All is not well with children in India's northeast. A study conducted by a Guwahati-based NGO along with the police has revealed that a shocking 20 percent involved in prostitution in the region are aged between 11 and 17 years.
The survey conducted this year by the Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD) also pointed out that there was a five percent rise in children taking to sex work over last year.
Titled 'Rise in Child Prostitution in Northeast', the study lists poverty and displacement of population because of violence as prime reasons behind the increase in the number of children as commercial sex workers in the region.
'It is mostly the children of poor parents who are forced to take to prostitution to earn money for the family,' director of GOLD Rajeev Sarma told IANS.
The study, spanning three months and released last month, saw field workers interviewing 350 child sex workers throughout the region.
In addition, the report also states that most of the children are victims of acute physical torture. 'They are initially raped and flogged almost to death to take up the profession,' the report said.
Almost half of the child prostitutes were from Assam, followed by Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, said Sarma. Some of the victims were are also sold to brothels in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
'We have reports that sheikhs from the Middle East are also buying northeastern girls from these brothels. Also, trafficking gangs from Southeast Asian countries are taking a keen interest in the girls because of their Mongoloid features,' Sarma said.
Experts working in the field believe that prostitution and trafficking are flourishing in the region, as these crimes are invisible in nature.
The latest study has come up as a shock for the police force across the region.
'The demand for child sex workers is rising at an alarming rate in the region and we have to do something drastic,' said a senior police officer in Guwahati.
'Police forces across six states except Sikkim are working in a coordinated manner to ameliorate the situation. We are also involving various NGOs to assist us.'
Hasina Kharbhih, a team leader of the Meghalaya-based NGO, Impluse, who has been working in this area for many years, said that child prostitution is the immediate result of human trafficking.
'On an average, 50 cases of human trafficking are registered in the northeast daily and Assam has emerged as a hub for human trafficking and prostitution in the entire region,' she says.
'We have helped more than 500 victims from the region who have been rescued from different parts of country in tracing their actual homes. This clearly shows that trafficking is flourishing in the region. The victims are mainly from poor families who are lured by traffickers in the garb of providing them jobs,' Kharbhih told IANS.
The region is vulnerable as it shares international borders with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The survey conducted this year by the Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD) also pointed out that there was a five percent rise in children taking to sex work over last year.
Titled 'Rise in Child Prostitution in Northeast', the study lists poverty and displacement of population because of violence as prime reasons behind the increase in the number of children as commercial sex workers in the region.
'It is mostly the children of poor parents who are forced to take to prostitution to earn money for the family,' director of GOLD Rajeev Sarma told IANS.
The study, spanning three months and released last month, saw field workers interviewing 350 child sex workers throughout the region.
In addition, the report also states that most of the children are victims of acute physical torture. 'They are initially raped and flogged almost to death to take up the profession,' the report said.
Almost half of the child prostitutes were from Assam, followed by Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, said Sarma. Some of the victims were are also sold to brothels in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
'We have reports that sheikhs from the Middle East are also buying northeastern girls from these brothels. Also, trafficking gangs from Southeast Asian countries are taking a keen interest in the girls because of their Mongoloid features,' Sarma said.
Experts working in the field believe that prostitution and trafficking are flourishing in the region, as these crimes are invisible in nature.
The latest study has come up as a shock for the police force across the region.
'The demand for child sex workers is rising at an alarming rate in the region and we have to do something drastic,' said a senior police officer in Guwahati.
'Police forces across six states except Sikkim are working in a coordinated manner to ameliorate the situation. We are also involving various NGOs to assist us.'
Hasina Kharbhih, a team leader of the Meghalaya-based NGO, Impluse, who has been working in this area for many years, said that child prostitution is the immediate result of human trafficking.
'On an average, 50 cases of human trafficking are registered in the northeast daily and Assam has emerged as a hub for human trafficking and prostitution in the entire region,' she says.
'We have helped more than 500 victims from the region who have been rescued from different parts of country in tracing their actual homes. This clearly shows that trafficking is flourishing in the region. The victims are mainly from poor families who are lured by traffickers in the garb of providing them jobs,' Kharbhih told IANS.
The region is vulnerable as it shares international borders with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Pune turning into city beautiful for Commonwealth Youth Games
All major roads, walkways and cycling tracks in Pune are being done up as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) less than 150 days away.
Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in the games in nine disciplines from Oct 12-18 and the city is going all out to impress them and accompanying tourists.
Suresh Kalmadi, CYG's organising committee chairman and MP from Pune, has left no stone unturned to bring funds for beautification of the city, infrastructure development and improvement of the Chhattrapati Shivaji complex where the games will be held.
A sum of Rs.3.95 billion has been allocated for the construction of a stadium in the complex. While Kalmadi claims work on the stadium is progressing on schedule and the completed sports complex would be handed over to the organising committee at least two months in advance, officials claim work has been considerably delayed.
CYG's director Brig G.A. Siddique said: 'The delay in the work is due to additional demands made by various federations such the Commonwealth Federation for the Games, the National Sports Federation and the International Sports Federation.'
'For instance, CYG required only 10 badminton courts, but the National Sports Federation wanted 14, so all this leads to delay,' he said.
Siddique is confident that the test run for the games, scheduled between Aug 29 and Sep 4, will be held on time. 'The test run is very crucial because we will be checking the efficacy of the systems installed in the stadium,' he said.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Praveen Singh Pardeshi admitted that the construction of the Balewadi-Baner road, which is a link from the city to the stadium, would be considerably delayed beyond the August deadline.
Pardeshi told IANS: 'We will be able to give only a transportable road before the games. Earlier, we had planned a hundred-foot fully equipped road with all the facilities, but all that we will not be able to achieve.'
The reason, he added, was a delay in starting the road construction project.
He also said that Rs.1.5 million had been allocated for the city's beautification project that involves green patches and flowerpots along the roads and major intersections of the city.
Additionally, Rs.1.5 million has been allocated for street furniture. However, all these works are to start in June.
Maharashtra chief secretary Johny Joseph visited the city a week ago to review the status of the various development projects.
Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in the games in nine disciplines from Oct 12-18 and the city is going all out to impress them and accompanying tourists.
Suresh Kalmadi, CYG's organising committee chairman and MP from Pune, has left no stone unturned to bring funds for beautification of the city, infrastructure development and improvement of the Chhattrapati Shivaji complex where the games will be held.
A sum of Rs.3.95 billion has been allocated for the construction of a stadium in the complex. While Kalmadi claims work on the stadium is progressing on schedule and the completed sports complex would be handed over to the organising committee at least two months in advance, officials claim work has been considerably delayed.
CYG's director Brig G.A. Siddique said: 'The delay in the work is due to additional demands made by various federations such the Commonwealth Federation for the Games, the National Sports Federation and the International Sports Federation.'
'For instance, CYG required only 10 badminton courts, but the National Sports Federation wanted 14, so all this leads to delay,' he said.
Siddique is confident that the test run for the games, scheduled between Aug 29 and Sep 4, will be held on time. 'The test run is very crucial because we will be checking the efficacy of the systems installed in the stadium,' he said.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Praveen Singh Pardeshi admitted that the construction of the Balewadi-Baner road, which is a link from the city to the stadium, would be considerably delayed beyond the August deadline.
Pardeshi told IANS: 'We will be able to give only a transportable road before the games. Earlier, we had planned a hundred-foot fully equipped road with all the facilities, but all that we will not be able to achieve.'
The reason, he added, was a delay in starting the road construction project.
He also said that Rs.1.5 million had been allocated for the city's beautification project that involves green patches and flowerpots along the roads and major intersections of the city.
Additionally, Rs.1.5 million has been allocated for street furniture. However, all these works are to start in June.
Maharashtra chief secretary Johny Joseph visited the city a week ago to review the status of the various development projects.
Meghalaya's first woman MP vows to work for people
Meghalaya's first female MP Agatha Sangma says she will work for the empowerment of women and youth and describes her election to the Lok Sabha as a 'good first step' to encourage the fairer sex from the hill state to enter active politics.
'Society in Meghalaya may be matrilineal but men are still at the forefront of decision-making. That holds good in the field of politics too. But my election as an MP is a good first step for women here to join active politics,' Agatha told IANS in an interview.
Daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, Agatha, 27, has become the youngest member in the current Lok Sabha, having won the Tura seat vacated by her father who was elected to the state assembly two months ago. She defeated her Congress rival by a margin of nearly 100,000 votes last week.
Agatha's election has drawn much attention not just because of her lineage - Sangma held the Tura seat for close to 30 years - but also because it took more than 35 years for Meghalaya to have its first woman MP.
Her victory has brought four members of Sangma's family into politics in recent weeks. Sangma and his sons Conrad and James got elected to the state assembly on NCP tickets in March.
Conrad Sangma is now the finance minister in Meghalaya while Sangma senior is the chairman of the coveted State Planning Board. James Sangma is a parliamentary secretary with the status of a minister of state.
'I am my father's daughter but I have won on merit and been greatly humbled by my victory. But I reject all talk of my father encouraging dynastic politics because Article 84 of the constitution entitles any eligible citizen to run for parliament,' said Agatha, who as a practicing lawyer until recently.
She already has plans laid out for the coming months.
'Practically, I have just about eight months before the country goes to polls. I plan to start by touring every nook and cranny of my constituency and know the aspirations of people and complete programmes initiated by my father,' Agatha said.
She intends to focus on harnessing renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy and rainwater harvesting. This is not surprising considering the fact that Agatha holds a post-graduate degree in environmental management from the Nottingham University in Britain.
'We are very happy at Agatha's election. Society in my state is matrilineal and women are greatly empowered, but some sections now say men in the state need to be empowered,' Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy told IANS in a lighter vein.
'Society in Meghalaya may be matrilineal but men are still at the forefront of decision-making. That holds good in the field of politics too. But my election as an MP is a good first step for women here to join active politics,' Agatha told IANS in an interview.
Daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, Agatha, 27, has become the youngest member in the current Lok Sabha, having won the Tura seat vacated by her father who was elected to the state assembly two months ago. She defeated her Congress rival by a margin of nearly 100,000 votes last week.
Agatha's election has drawn much attention not just because of her lineage - Sangma held the Tura seat for close to 30 years - but also because it took more than 35 years for Meghalaya to have its first woman MP.
Her victory has brought four members of Sangma's family into politics in recent weeks. Sangma and his sons Conrad and James got elected to the state assembly on NCP tickets in March.
Conrad Sangma is now the finance minister in Meghalaya while Sangma senior is the chairman of the coveted State Planning Board. James Sangma is a parliamentary secretary with the status of a minister of state.
'I am my father's daughter but I have won on merit and been greatly humbled by my victory. But I reject all talk of my father encouraging dynastic politics because Article 84 of the constitution entitles any eligible citizen to run for parliament,' said Agatha, who as a practicing lawyer until recently.
She already has plans laid out for the coming months.
'Practically, I have just about eight months before the country goes to polls. I plan to start by touring every nook and cranny of my constituency and know the aspirations of people and complete programmes initiated by my father,' Agatha said.
She intends to focus on harnessing renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy and rainwater harvesting. This is not surprising considering the fact that Agatha holds a post-graduate degree in environmental management from the Nottingham University in Britain.
'We are very happy at Agatha's election. Society in my state is matrilineal and women are greatly empowered, but some sections now say men in the state need to be empowered,' Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy told IANS in a lighter vein.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Scientist Gowariker hospitalised for brain haemorrhage
Former scientific and technology advisor to four Indian prime ministers, Vasant Gowariker has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra here, a senior Maharashtra official said Thursday.
Gowariker suffered brain haemorrhage late last week at Pune and was rushed here.
A senior state government official described his condition as "stable".
Gowariker is former head of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and it was during his tenure that India achieved the SLV-3 project, the country's first rocket to put a scientific satellite in earth orbit.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is keeping himself abreast of Gowariker's treatment and condition.
Deshmukh deputed a senior state official, additional chief secretary (revenue) Neela Satyanarayan, to keep tab on Gowariker's condition and has ordered that he should be given the best medical treatment available.
Gowariker suffered brain haemorrhage late last week at Pune and was rushed here.
A senior state government official described his condition as "stable".
Gowariker is former head of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and it was during his tenure that India achieved the SLV-3 project, the country's first rocket to put a scientific satellite in earth orbit.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is keeping himself abreast of Gowariker's treatment and condition.
Deshmukh deputed a senior state official, additional chief secretary (revenue) Neela Satyanarayan, to keep tab on Gowariker's condition and has ordered that he should be given the best medical treatment available.
Fourteen percent Indian students use tobacco regularly
Over 14 percent of Indian students are regular tobacco users, reflecting the global trend of most people beginning to smoke before the age of 18 - an alarming statistic that the World Health Organisation (WHO) thinks can be reduced by banning tobacco advertisements.
'Globally, most people start smoking before the age of 18, with almost a quarter of them beginning before the age of 10. The younger the children are when they first try smoking, the more likely they are to become regular tobacco users and the less likely they are to quit,' the WHO said in its official website.
The UN body has chosen 'Tobacco-Free Youth' as its theme for the World No Tobacco Day, which will be observed Saturday.
It has urged countries to ban tobacco advertisements completely since there is 'a strong link between advertising and smoking in young people'.
'The more aware and appreciative young people are of tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to smoke or say they intend to,' the global health watchdog said.
Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) chief K. Srinath Reddy said the prevalence of tobacco use among school students is a cause of worry. 'Overall, 14.7 percent of Indian students use tobacco.' It's not just cigarette but they consume gutkha and bidi as well.
In the 15 to 49 age group 57 percent of Indian males and nearly 11 percent females consume tobacco, Reddy said.
Tobacco is the main cause of major ailments like cardiovascular problems, cancer and obstructive pulmonary diseases. Every minute, 10 people, including two Indians, lose their life due to tobacco related diseases across the globe, according to the WHO.
Tobacco kills 50 to 75 percent of its users and on average '15 years prematurely'.
'Currently, tobacco use causes one in 10 deaths among adults worldwide - more than five million people a year,' the UN body said.
Experts said that with many European countries formulating stricter norms against tobacco use, manufacturers are targeting countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
'Tobacco companies push their products wherever youth can be easily accessed - in films, on the Internet, in fashion magazines and at music concerts,' said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, director of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), a federation of 4,500 voluntary groups.
'When so many people are losing their lives, authorities and civil society cannot sit in peace. We need to ban tobacco advisements - direct or surrogate - at the earliest,' Mukhopadhyay told IANS.
Reddy said the prevalence of tobacco use in the form of gutkha or bidi is higher in rural India than urban areas.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, an infertility expert here, said that tobacco use leads to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
'The more you smoke, the greater the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, still birth and having a low-birth weight baby,' she said.
'Globally, most people start smoking before the age of 18, with almost a quarter of them beginning before the age of 10. The younger the children are when they first try smoking, the more likely they are to become regular tobacco users and the less likely they are to quit,' the WHO said in its official website.
The UN body has chosen 'Tobacco-Free Youth' as its theme for the World No Tobacco Day, which will be observed Saturday.
It has urged countries to ban tobacco advertisements completely since there is 'a strong link between advertising and smoking in young people'.
'The more aware and appreciative young people are of tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to smoke or say they intend to,' the global health watchdog said.
Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) chief K. Srinath Reddy said the prevalence of tobacco use among school students is a cause of worry. 'Overall, 14.7 percent of Indian students use tobacco.' It's not just cigarette but they consume gutkha and bidi as well.
In the 15 to 49 age group 57 percent of Indian males and nearly 11 percent females consume tobacco, Reddy said.
Tobacco is the main cause of major ailments like cardiovascular problems, cancer and obstructive pulmonary diseases. Every minute, 10 people, including two Indians, lose their life due to tobacco related diseases across the globe, according to the WHO.
Tobacco kills 50 to 75 percent of its users and on average '15 years prematurely'.
'Currently, tobacco use causes one in 10 deaths among adults worldwide - more than five million people a year,' the UN body said.
Experts said that with many European countries formulating stricter norms against tobacco use, manufacturers are targeting countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
'Tobacco companies push their products wherever youth can be easily accessed - in films, on the Internet, in fashion magazines and at music concerts,' said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, director of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), a federation of 4,500 voluntary groups.
'When so many people are losing their lives, authorities and civil society cannot sit in peace. We need to ban tobacco advisements - direct or surrogate - at the earliest,' Mukhopadhyay told IANS.
Reddy said the prevalence of tobacco use in the form of gutkha or bidi is higher in rural India than urban areas.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, an infertility expert here, said that tobacco use leads to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
'The more you smoke, the greater the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, still birth and having a low-birth weight baby,' she said.
Deshmukh meets Sonia, denies rumours about removal
Denying speculations over his removal from the top post, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi here Friday, claimed that 'all is well.'
Deshmukh, who met the party chief for the first time after the defeat of the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate in the May 22 Thane Lok Sabha by-election, also said the ruling party would review the functioning of the organisation and rework its strategies ahead of the 2009 parliamentary elections.
'All is well... I am satisfied,' Deshmukh told reporters outside Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence here.
The chief minister's meeting with Gandhi came a day after a three-member informal panel of Congress leaders met her to discuss party affairs in Maharashtra. The panel, comprising External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and senior party functionary Ahmed Patel, has reviewed the situation in Maharashtra where the Congress, along with NCP, is in power.
The panel was formed earlier this year amid speculations that the Congress leadership was set to replace Deshmukh ahead of the elections - the Maharashtra assembly elections are also due in 2009.
Deshmukh also told the reporters that the state unit would make a detailed study of the changes that occurred due to the delimitation process in the state.
The Maharashtra chief minister, who has been criticised for 'failing to provide a good administration in the state', said he thanked Gandhi for the party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's decision to expand the scope of the farm loan waiver scheme.
He said the Rs.716 billion scheme would benefit at least 85 percent of the small farmers in the drought-hit Vidarbha region of the state.
Deshmukh said the Maharashtra government had allocated Rs.1.41 billion for extending the loan waiver scheme to seven more districts, which would not come under the central government programme.
Deshmukh, who met the party chief for the first time after the defeat of the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate in the May 22 Thane Lok Sabha by-election, also said the ruling party would review the functioning of the organisation and rework its strategies ahead of the 2009 parliamentary elections.
'All is well... I am satisfied,' Deshmukh told reporters outside Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence here.
The chief minister's meeting with Gandhi came a day after a three-member informal panel of Congress leaders met her to discuss party affairs in Maharashtra. The panel, comprising External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and senior party functionary Ahmed Patel, has reviewed the situation in Maharashtra where the Congress, along with NCP, is in power.
The panel was formed earlier this year amid speculations that the Congress leadership was set to replace Deshmukh ahead of the elections - the Maharashtra assembly elections are also due in 2009.
Deshmukh also told the reporters that the state unit would make a detailed study of the changes that occurred due to the delimitation process in the state.
The Maharashtra chief minister, who has been criticised for 'failing to provide a good administration in the state', said he thanked Gandhi for the party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's decision to expand the scope of the farm loan waiver scheme.
He said the Rs.716 billion scheme would benefit at least 85 percent of the small farmers in the drought-hit Vidarbha region of the state.
Deshmukh said the Maharashtra government had allocated Rs.1.41 billion for extending the loan waiver scheme to seven more districts, which would not come under the central government programme.
Stage set for first BJP government in Karnataka
The first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka will assume office Friday afternoon when its chief minister-designate B.S. Yeddyurappa takes oath in front of the majestic Vidhana Soudha - the seat of executive power.
Governor Rameshwar Thakur will administer the oath of office to Yeddyurappa and 20-24 legislators, including supporting independents as ministers at 1.50 p.m. in the presence of a galaxy of BJP national leaders and thousands of party activists and supporters.
For the D-day, BJP has turned India's garden city saffron by putting up hundreds of party flags with its lotus symbol, colourful buntings, banners, hoardings and tall cut-outs of Yeddyurappa, former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other party leaders en-route to the venue of the swearing-in ceremony.
Prominent among the VIPs expected are BJP's prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi, party vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, party general secretary Arun Jaitley and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and Rajya Sabha MP Sushma Swaraj, who were stars of the party's intense campaign during the recent assembly election across the state, are expected too.
The police have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the state secretariat. From Friday morning, vehicles were being diverted out of the area, from as far as a km away.
Hundreds of Yeddyurappa's supporters from his home village Bookanakare in Mandya district, about 100 km from here, and an equal number of Sangh Parivar followers from his home constituency Shikaripura in Shimoga district, about 330 km away, have descended on India's IT hub to watch their 'mannina maga' (son of the soil) take charge as BJP's first chief minister in South India.
An estimated 15,000-20,000 people are likely to converge at the function venue in front of the century-old Karnataka High Court building and opposite the famous Cubbon Park in the heart of the city.
Incidentally, this is the second time Yeddyurappa is becoming Karnataka's chief minister. He took the same oath Nov 12 last year, but as head of the BJP-led coalition government, which barely lasted seven days following the sudden withdrawal of support by its ally Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Nov 19.
The 66-year-old Yeddyurappa was elected from Shikaripura for the sixth time by defeating former chief minister and Samajwadi Party's state unit president S. Bangarappa in a straight contest with a margin of about 43,000 votes.
Though BJP emerged as the single largest party with 110 seats after this month's poll, it fell three seats short of majority in the 225-member legislative assembly.
The party, however, enlisted the support of all the six independents who have been elected. All rebels of the BJP, Congress or JD-S.
Governor Rameshwar Thakur will administer the oath of office to Yeddyurappa and 20-24 legislators, including supporting independents as ministers at 1.50 p.m. in the presence of a galaxy of BJP national leaders and thousands of party activists and supporters.
For the D-day, BJP has turned India's garden city saffron by putting up hundreds of party flags with its lotus symbol, colourful buntings, banners, hoardings and tall cut-outs of Yeddyurappa, former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other party leaders en-route to the venue of the swearing-in ceremony.
Prominent among the VIPs expected are BJP's prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi, party vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, party general secretary Arun Jaitley and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and Rajya Sabha MP Sushma Swaraj, who were stars of the party's intense campaign during the recent assembly election across the state, are expected too.
The police have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the state secretariat. From Friday morning, vehicles were being diverted out of the area, from as far as a km away.
Hundreds of Yeddyurappa's supporters from his home village Bookanakare in Mandya district, about 100 km from here, and an equal number of Sangh Parivar followers from his home constituency Shikaripura in Shimoga district, about 330 km away, have descended on India's IT hub to watch their 'mannina maga' (son of the soil) take charge as BJP's first chief minister in South India.
An estimated 15,000-20,000 people are likely to converge at the function venue in front of the century-old Karnataka High Court building and opposite the famous Cubbon Park in the heart of the city.
Incidentally, this is the second time Yeddyurappa is becoming Karnataka's chief minister. He took the same oath Nov 12 last year, but as head of the BJP-led coalition government, which barely lasted seven days following the sudden withdrawal of support by its ally Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Nov 19.
The 66-year-old Yeddyurappa was elected from Shikaripura for the sixth time by defeating former chief minister and Samajwadi Party's state unit president S. Bangarappa in a straight contest with a margin of about 43,000 votes.
Though BJP emerged as the single largest party with 110 seats after this month's poll, it fell three seats short of majority in the 225-member legislative assembly.
The party, however, enlisted the support of all the six independents who have been elected. All rebels of the BJP, Congress or JD-S.
Bihar boy tops IIT exams
A Bihar boy has topped this year's All India Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) conducted for admissions to the Indian Institutes of Technology.
Shitikanth, who hails from Patna, topped JEE conducted by IIT. 'I am really happy and celebrating my success as I never expected to top,' an upbeat Shitikanth told IANS here Friday.
Surrounded by his family ,relatives and friends, Shitikanth said he was expecting that his name may figure in top ten. 'It is all a result of hard work and positive surrounding, nothing else,' he said.
He said that his favourite subject is Physics followed by Mathematics. 'I love to study Physics all time. I have no problem in Physics, more or less the same with Maths,' he said.
But Chemistry, particularly Inorganic Chemistry, is a tough subject for him. 'I have faced a little problem studying Chemistry,' he admitted.
Shitikanth did his class 10 from St Michael School in Patna.
He joined Bansal Classes in Kota in Rajasthan to prepare for IIT. He has become a star here after the news spread that he topped the JEE this year.
Shitikanth, who hails from Patna, topped JEE conducted by IIT. 'I am really happy and celebrating my success as I never expected to top,' an upbeat Shitikanth told IANS here Friday.
Surrounded by his family ,relatives and friends, Shitikanth said he was expecting that his name may figure in top ten. 'It is all a result of hard work and positive surrounding, nothing else,' he said.
He said that his favourite subject is Physics followed by Mathematics. 'I love to study Physics all time. I have no problem in Physics, more or less the same with Maths,' he said.
But Chemistry, particularly Inorganic Chemistry, is a tough subject for him. 'I have faced a little problem studying Chemistry,' he admitted.
Shitikanth did his class 10 from St Michael School in Patna.
He joined Bansal Classes in Kota in Rajasthan to prepare for IIT. He has become a star here after the news spread that he topped the JEE this year.
Christimas
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.
Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.
The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side.
To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king. The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey.
Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun.
In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return.
The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.
The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits).
The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.
"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.
But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.
Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.
The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.
The Story of Christmas and the Christ Child
Catholic Digest Magazine | Christian History Magazine | Christianity Today Magazine
When Rome was a great Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and Israel was governed by King Herod, in the village of Nazareth lived Joseph and Mary. Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin who would become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which she was visited by an angel who told her she had been chosen to bear the Son of God and his name was to be Jesus.
One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary who was with child, and close to the birth, rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They traveled for many days and only rested at night.
When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to rest but there were no empty rooms when they reached the inn. As they were being turned away Joseph mentioned his wife was with child and close to birth. The inn keeper took pity on them and told them of some caves in the nearby hills that shepherds would stay with their cows and sheep.So Joseph and Mary went up into the hills and found the caves. In one cave was a stable room. Joseph cleaned it and made beds of fresh hay. He found a feeding trough which he cleaned and filled with hay to use as a crib. The next night Mary gave birth to a son and they named him Jesus, as the angel had said.
When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepards were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.
The Christmas Tree
A beautifully decorated evergreen tree, with colored lights ablaze inspires in many warm memories of Christmases long past. The Christmas tree has become one of the most beloved and well know holiday symbols.
The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter celebrations for many centuries. Many pagan festivals used trees when honoring their gods and spirits. In Northern Europe the Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return. The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.
There have also been many legends surrounding the lore of the Christmas tree. In one story Saint Boniface, an English monk, came upon a group of pagans who had gathered around an oak tree and were preparing to sacrifice a child. To stop the sacrifice and save the child, the Saint flattened the oak tree with one blow of his fist. A small fir sprang up in its place, which Saint Boniface told the pagans was the Tree of Life and represented the life of Christ. Another legend tells of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant religion, walking through the woods late one night.
As it was clear, many stars were shining through the branches of the trees giving the impression of twinkling lights. Luther was so inspired by the beauty of the sight that he cut down a small evergreen and brought it home. He recreated the stars by putting candles on the tree's branches.
The use of a Christmas tree indoors appears to have begun in Germany. German Christians would bring trees into their homes to decorate. In some areas evergreen trees were scarce so the families would build a Christmas pyramid, simple wooden structures which they decorated with branches and candles.
The tradition of the Christmas tree eventually spread through out Europe. The English Royalty help popularize the tree in England by decorating the first Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1841. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, decorated the first English Christmas Tree with candles, candies, fruits, and gingerbread.
When the German immigrants went to American they also brought along their Christmas trees. In the 1830's most Americans still considered the Christmas tree an oddity. One of the first public displays of a Christmas tree was set up by German Settlers in Pennsylvania. At the time many still considered the tree to be a symbol of pagans and it wasn't until the late 1800's that Americans began accepting the Christmas tree.
Early Christmas trees were often decorated with apples, nuts, cookies, colored popcorn and candles. The invention of electricity in the early 20th century and use of electrical Christmas lights helped spread the use of the Christmas tree.
It is now common in most communities through out the US to feature public displays of Christmas trees. Every year the President of the United States lights the National Christmas Tree in Washington and in New York skaters spin beneath the lighted tree of Rockefeller Center. Through Europe and the rest of the world the Christmas tree has also become readily accepted and adored.
Republic Day
26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.
Today, the Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.
To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery and official decorations even the horses of the cavalry are attractively caparisoned to suit the occasion. The crème of N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. They spend many days preparing for the event and no expense is spared to see that every detail is taken care of, from their practice for the drills, the essential props and their uniforms.
The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show lends a festive air to the occasion. The parade and the ensuing pageantry is telecast by the National Television and is watched by millions of viewers in every corner of the country.
The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.
Raksha Bhandhan
Rakhi as it is popularly called. The sister ties a thread to her brother who in turn gives her a gift, money. In these commercialized times the thread has given way to Jumbo, fancy, loud Rakhis.
By tying a Rakhi to a man, the women is making him responsible for her safety. Its a commitment from a brother that he would take her care of her, financially, emotionally etc.
The word Raksha has a historical perspective to it. My mind goes back to 1303 when Alauddin Khilji, the Turk Afghan Delhi ruler invaded Chittorgarh ( in Rajasthan ). Rani Padmini, the King's wife sent out Rakhis to the Kings of neighboring states. By doing so she implied their sister was in danger and they should rush their forces to protect her. This could be one of the reason for the festivals popularity.
This festival is more popular in the North. Since most of India's battle with foreign invaders be it Alexander or the Muslims were fought in the North, Raksha or security of women folk was needed more in the North than else where. Rape of women, inevitably followed every military loss.
The festival indicates that women were treated with respect in those times.
Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Sravana (July-August). In North India, the occasion is popularly called Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi, the tying of an amulet. On this day, sisters tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the right wrist of their brothers praying for their long life and happiness. Raksha means protection, and in some places in medieval India, where women felt unsafe, they tied Rakhi round the wrists of men they could count upon, regarding them as brothers. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is similar to Karthikay in Kartika (October-November) in South India.
On this day, sisters offer food to brothers to wish them a long life. The festival is an occassion to strengthen the bond between a brother and a sister. In South India, The Raksha Bandhan full moon day is a household festival for the men, where the sacred thread is ceremoniously changed. Raksha Bandhan is based on an ancient legend. The legend goes that the gods were having a war with the demons. The god Indra got help from his wife. She tied a piece of silk around his wrist to ward off the evil demons. With the silk around his wrist, Indra beat back the devils and got back his home in the heavens. Today, Hindu girls with brothers give them special bracelets woven of silk (called rakhi) on this day.
The rakhi are made of red and gold thread. They are a symbol of the bond between brothers and sisters. When the sisters give their brothers the rakhis, they give them candy to eat as well. The brothers give their sisters little gifts in return.
Narali Purnima
On the full moon day of Shravan, after one or two months of heavy rains and strong winds, the sea becomes calm. On this day boats are allowed to launch into the sea again. But before doing so the sea is worshipped by throwing a coconut (“naral”) into the water. In this way Varun, the god of the water, is worshipped.
The Coconut as “Prasad”
The coconut is a fruit full of symbolism. It is known as “Shriphal”, or “divine fruit”. Within its hard shell it contains food and drink, the two essential elements God has placed in creation for man’s nourishment. The hard shell expresses God’s desire that man should enjoy the fruits of the earth through personal effort.
The coconut is the most common fruit used as an offering to God. The effort needed to break the shell represents the element of sacrifice. The kernel and the water are first offered to God and then shared with all those present, and also taken home to be shared with relatives and neighbours as “prasad”, or food blessed by God.
onam
Onam is the national festival of Kerala. It is celebrated is during the month of August-September. The festival cherishes the memory of the legendary King Mahabali and his prosperous reign during which, perfect communal harmony and prosperity prevailed. It was a glorious period and people were happy. The King Mahabali's popularity was at its height and led to the envy of the Gods. This golden age ended when Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu expelled him from his throne to the neitherlands. But Mahabali was allowed to visit his dear subjects once in a year.
He visits his dear Kingdom during the first Malayalam month of Chingam an occasion that fills the whole state with joy and merriment.
Onam is also the harvest season. Nature is divinely beautiful and Kerala becomes lush green with the spring season. Flowers bloom in plenty and butterflies bring a rainbow of colour. The people decorating their houses with `Onapookalam´ or floral arrangements on floor to welcome Mahabali. A grand lunch with 21 curries and three types of sweet porridges or `payasam´ are prepared and enjoyed with fervour. Songs in praise of Mahabali and his golden reign are sung along with kaikottikali – danced by maidens in the household. Onam is is celebrated in ten day long festivities.
Atham is the first day of celebrations and Thiruvonam is the grand finale. Uthradom, the day before Thiruvonam, is a day of great significance. From Atham to Thiruvonam, on all days, people make floral decoration in the front yard or verandah of their houses.
The idol of Thrikkakara Appan (synonym of Mahabali) made of clay is placed in the middle of the floral decoration with utmost
reverence and devotion.
On Thiruvonam day special pujas are offered in temples early in the morning after which elder members of family will give presents to the younger members. All people of Kerala without exceptions celebrate Onam. The season is celebrated in the state with tourist festivals. The state Tourism organisations conduct various cultural events, shows, exhibitions, boat races, community feasts etc during this season. Onam is one of the oldest existing festivals of India.
The Harvest Festival
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee.
It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore, of a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness, under the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join together to welcome back their vanquished king.
The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.
The Legend
According to local belief, in a war that took place between the gods and the demons, the demons won. Deeply hurt by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their mother prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy Mahabali, the demon king.
Consequently, Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to grant him three steps of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can he place the third step.
The king to honour his word, offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali deep down into the earth. Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a wish that he could he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year.
The Festivity
Preparation of a floral carpet called "Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is part of the festivities, which is a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali.
The state government conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing the gems of Kerala's culture. Onam resonates with Carnivals, Boat Races, Dance, Music and Feast.
A sumptious meal on plantain leaf and the traditional sweet dish of Kerala 'Payasam' etc are served in every house The pomp and pageantry of Onam reflects the Keralite's zest for all the beautiful things of life.
Rituals
Onam is celebrated throughout Kerala; singing and merry making is its hallmark. Onam depicts the story of Mahabali the king who rules the country during a time of prosperity. He still visits Kerala annually to bless the people. The women dress up and decorate the entrance to their homes to welcome Mahabali. The whole state comes alive with festivity and activity. A time for prayers and ceremonies, a time to celebrate and rejoice, a time for fun and sports. A time for the snake boat festival.
ONAM AND SOUTH INDIA
Onam being celebrated in Tirupati also confirms the fact that Onam was popular in the southern region before becoming confined to Kerala after the 10th century AD.
Mangudy Marudanar, one of the noted poets of the Sangam Age, is said to have Commemoration Of A Glorious Past described the Onam celebrations in the Pandyan capital of Madurai in one of his poems. Onam has been around for a long time. Apparently it used to be celebrated during the Sangam period in the first few centuaries C.E. Onam festivities have been recorded during the time Kulasekhara Perumals (800 C.E.). Those were the days when Onam used to be a full month long.
Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is a very significant festival for the women of North Indian. Traditionally the Indian woman was expected to uphold family honour and repute. And in order to do that, she was compared to myriad goddesses and heroines in Hindu mythology whose personal and spiritual achievements thus set the way of life for every Indian woman who, in turn, was expected to emulate them. As a child she submitted to the dictates of the paterfamilias – the father, and after marriage to those of the husband. Her failure to do so supposedly brought doom and dishonor upon the concerned families and their genealogical ramifications.
The notion of female chastity, respectability, tolerance and demureness slowly but surely seeped into every layer of the Hindu society and literature, and great care was taken to glorify the woman, while the reigns of social control were firmly held by the mikado of morality – the male. In such a social construct, the woman’s identity hinged first on that of her father, and later and more importantly on that of her husband. Therefore, in certain pockets of India, a widow was expected to immolate herself on the funeral pyre of her departed husband – an act hailed by many that guaranteed her the status of an ‘exalted woman’, a devi (roughly translated as a demigoddess). Hence, not only was her status, but even the mere survival of the woman was dependant on that of the man. The corollary was that the woman did everything within her means to ensure the well being of her patiparmeshwar, or ‘husbandalmighty’.
Today, however, the festival of Karva Chauth is not only a day when women pray to God for the long and prosperous lives of their husbands, but is also symbolic of their unflagging loyalty towards their spouses. The festival is celebrated nine days before Diwali, or the festival of lights, on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around October-November. Married women, old and young, begin their fast on the day of Karva Chauth well before sunrise (around 4 a.m.), and eventually partake of food and water only after spotting the moon, which generally rises at about 8.30 p.m. But this is not to say that it is a solemn day solely symbolic of privation, as a good measure of festivity, rituals and merriment complement its more serious implications. In fact many women do not adhere very strictly to the guidelines laid down for the fast, and while they choose to abstain from food, they drink water, tea and coffee.
Janmashtami
Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Janmashtami. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar.
Krishna Jayanthi is also called as Janma Ashtami day, Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanthi.The birthday of Krishna, who was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi is celebrated as a festival on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the English month of August-September. Therefore Gokuashtami means Gokul - Krishna and Ashtami - eight.
Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar (incarnation) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations. Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.
Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made. Among these are laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and so on. In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.
Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all. Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.
The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.
Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.
The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees. The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.
Krishna Jayanthi is also called as Janma Ashtami day, Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanthi.The birthday of Krishna, who was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi is celebrated as a festival on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the English month of August-September. Therefore Gokuashtami means Gokul - Krishna and Ashtami - eight.
Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar (incarnation) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations. Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.
Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made. Among these are laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and so on. In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.
Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all. Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.
The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.
Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.
The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees. The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.
Holi
The Spring Festival of India, Holi - is a festival of colors. Celebrated in March or April according to the Hindu calendar, it was meant to welcome the Spring and win the blessings of Gods for good harvests and fertility of the land. Holi 2008 will be celebrated on March 22nd. As with all the hindu festivals, there are many interesting legends attached to Holi, the most popular being that of Prince Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India, is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season is remarkable.
Unlike all the other festivals of India, hindu holi festival is one such festival where one can put down the social taboos and indulge in the intoxicating drinks and sweets prepared by using opium. It is a festival of romance often represented by the love-play of Radha and Krishna. Brij Holi is famous all over the world for its gaeity in spirit. Each year, young and old, men and women, all indulge themselves in the spirit of colors and for once forget the social taboos. There are mouthwatering delicacies to savor such as 'Gujhias' and 'Papris' and there are interesting traditions and customs of Holi that have their own regional variances. We will also talk about making natural and healthy colors and safety precautions that one must take to enjoy Holi.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav or the birthday of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity) falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (around August-September). It is celebrated all across India and is the biggest festival in Maharashtra. So if you are anywhere close to Mumbai, don’t think twice about moving heaven and earth to be there for Ganesha’s day. It’ll be a day you shall look back upon with some wonder.
Ganesha is India’s cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks – his favourite sweet). Ganesha is famous not only for being a trickster and for his sense of humour, but equally for his wisdom. He is the son of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva’s consort).
Ganesha is the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon. This brave guardian of the door to Parvati’s bath is beheld today as the most auspicious God of new beginnings. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. You will also see him carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping out of calendars and happily gracing marriages and other such occasions.
Durga Puja
Durga puja is the most prominent festival of Bengalis and Calcutta turns a new city during the last four days of the festival from Maha-Shashti (the sixth day), the day of Bodhon on Maha-Shashti to the day when the idols are immersed in the rivers, lakes and seas on the evening of Dashami. However, it is considered to immerse the idols in the sacred waters of the River Ganges. It is believed that the Mother Goddess descends to the Earth on Shashthi and returns to her abode on Dashmi. The fresh and cool air of the pleasant winters, the clear skies, mildly fragrant Shiuli (a type of flower), the bountiful harvest in the fields and chanting of mantras and shlokas to worship Shakti, all collectively set up the scene for the ten-day long festival of Durga Puja. The preparations are done long before the festival to clean and decorate homes, buy gifts for fiends and relatives and new clothes for the celebrations and prepare mouth-watering delicacies for the occasion.
However, Durgapuja festival is not merely religious in nature. With time, it has acquired the status of the biggest social even of the region as Bengalis use this time to socialize and make big plans for the four days of Durga Puja. Dances and performances organized, feasts and music reign the festivities and it is also the time for the teens and youths to catch up on the latest fashion trends, designer clothes, trendy footwear and catchy accessories. Businessmen sure cash in the festival and sales, discounts, free gifts jazz up the spirits of the people. Shopping spree and traditional Bengali sweets help to loosen up the festive side of the peole. In short, Durga Puja is not only for the transition from the dull to a life of fun and gaiety but also to share this joy and happiness with friends and relatives.
Sankranthi
Sankranthi is a festival done by farmers of India which symbolizes the start of the harvest season.
Sankranthi is three day festival in Andhra Pradesh consisting of
1)Bhogi Panduga (Bhogi Pongal)
2)Pedda Panduga (Surya Pongal) and
3)Kanuma Panduga (Kanuma Pongal).
Sankranthi is three day festival in Andhra Pradesh consisting of
1)Bhogi Panduga (Bhogi Pongal)
2)Pedda Panduga (Surya Pongal) and
3)Kanuma Panduga (Kanuma Pongal).
The auspicious day of Sankranthi is celebrated as auspicious three days festival especially in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh.The cultural greatness of Andhra Pradesh is at its best display during these three days.Women enjoy decorating and drawing infront of their houses,which is seen in every village and town of Andhra Pradesh. Many delicious sweets are prepared during this festival.Guests are invited especially the new in-laws so that people can mingle and enjoy the spirit of the festival together.
Sankranthi is the time to watch the cultural greatness of Andhra Pradesh where every village and town in Andhra is filled with drawings in front of their houses. There is also a cock fighting which is required in villages.
Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala where the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makara Vilakku celebrations.
Every village and town in Andhra Pradesh is decorated with drawings infront of their houses [Muggulu]. Woman enjoy making of these drawings it a lot and every year they try to out do them selves. All the new in-laws are invited and many delicious sweets are prepared. Budabukkalavallu, Haridaslulu, Gangireddulavallu, and people decorated in mythological roles come to visit each and every house during this festival and they will be honoured. Cock fight is one of the most promonant events of this festival.
The first day of festival is Bhogi, in the night people light up fire with several old articles in their houses.The next day is Sankranti the big festival,on this day every one wear a new dress and pray to their favorite god and offer him all the sweets and dishes they prepare for the day and eat,many guests are invited for lunch on this day.on this day cock-fighting is a favourite pass time,and people bet in huge amounts and see that it is not known to police as it is a banned game in Andhra Pradesh. And on the third day it is Kanuma after eating too much of sweets on the festival day people eat meat on this day. Sankranti is however celebrated all over India.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs (1 lakh = 100,000) of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach up to their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil.
Sankranthi is the time to watch the cultural greatness of Andhra Pradesh where every village and town in Andhra is filled with drawings in front of their houses. There is also a cock fighting which is required in villages.
Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala where the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makara Vilakku celebrations.
Every village and town in Andhra Pradesh is decorated with drawings infront of their houses [Muggulu]. Woman enjoy making of these drawings it a lot and every year they try to out do them selves. All the new in-laws are invited and many delicious sweets are prepared. Budabukkalavallu, Haridaslulu, Gangireddulavallu, and people decorated in mythological roles come to visit each and every house during this festival and they will be honoured. Cock fight is one of the most promonant events of this festival.
The first day of festival is Bhogi, in the night people light up fire with several old articles in their houses.The next day is Sankranti the big festival,on this day every one wear a new dress and pray to their favorite god and offer him all the sweets and dishes they prepare for the day and eat,many guests are invited for lunch on this day.on this day cock-fighting is a favourite pass time,and people bet in huge amounts and see that it is not known to police as it is a banned game in Andhra Pradesh. And on the third day it is Kanuma after eating too much of sweets on the festival day people eat meat on this day. Sankranti is however celebrated all over India.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs (1 lakh = 100,000) of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach up to their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
