everything about INDIA

Naga Panchami

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:34:00 +0000

This day is dedicated for snakes. Naga Panchami falls on the 5^th day of the waxing moon in the month of Shravan (July-August). This is the time when serpents invariably come out of their holes that get filled with rain water. The snakes seek shelter in gardens and in houses. India has variety of snakes and thousands of people die every by snake bites. Incidently the festival falls during rainy season.

People belived that this is the day when Lord Krishna over powered the Serpent Kaliya and saved the people from drinking the poisonous water. In another version it is said that after creating earth, Lord Vishnu rested on the thousand headed Shesh Nag Anantha on this day. It is an age old religious belief that serpents are loved and blessed by Lord Siva. He always wears them around his neck. So Snakes are dear to the Gods.

In south India people make images of the snakes as part of their snake worship. The Vedic and yoga concepts say that snakes resemble the cord of a human being. There are snake temples in our country with idols of snake gods. Snakes are worshipped and fed with milk and turmeric powder on this day. In these temples cobras are also reared and live snakes are worshipped on Nag Panchami day. This dimension of Nag Panchami festival is vast and diverse.

Special prayers and poojas instill a great awareness among the people to be cautious against poisonous snakes. At the same time it reminds all not to killsnakes as they are the friends of farmers.

Cabinet of India

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 04:24:00 +0000

President : Pranav Mukherjee

Vice president : Mohammad Hamid Ansari

Prime Minister : Narendra Modi

1) Narendra Modi :

Prime Minister Of India.
Ministry of Planning
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

2) Rajnath Singh :

Minister of Home Affairs

3) Arun Jaitley :

Ministry of Finance, Corporate Affairs
Ministry of Defense

4) Sushma Swaraj :

Minister of External Affairs, Overseas Indian Affairs

5) Ananth Kumar :

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers

6) Sadanand Gowda :

Minister of Railways

7) Nitin Gadkari :

Minister of Road Transport an Highways
Minister of Shipping
Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

8) M Venkaiah Naidu :

Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

9) Ravi Shankar Prasad :

Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Ministry of Law and Justice

10) Smriti Irani :

Minister of Human Resource Development

11) Ram Vilas Paswan :

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

12) Najma A. heptulla :

Minster of Minority Affairs

13) Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati :

Minister of Civil Aviation

14) Anant Geete :

Minister of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises

15) Harsh Vardhan :

Minister of Health and Family Welfare

16) Maneka Gandhi :

Ministry of Women and Child Development

17) Uma Bharati :

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

18) Radha Mohan Singh :

Minister of Agriculture.

19) Thaawar Chand Gehlot :

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

20) Narendra Singh Tomar :

Minister of Mines, Steel, Labour and Employment

famous temples of India:

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 17:05:00 +0000

In India, the majority of people have faith in God. India is a very religious and spiritual country.

Minakshi Temple (Madurai):

As per the size and area concern, Minakshi Mandir is the largest temple. Temple has 14 gopure (entrances). Sculpture and painting is awesome. This temple was built in the sixteenth century.

Golden Temple (Amritsar):
golden temple is sanctuary for Sikh Religion. From the country and land of world thousands of devotees are visit the temple. More than 50 thousands of devotees have food at this place. On holiday, this figure reaches a million. Without considering any caste and religion all get food at this place.

Sai Baba (Shirdi):
"Sabka Malik ek hai" is messege from Sai Baba. 'Shraddha','Saburi','Purity','Compassion' and 'Complete Surrender to the preceptor' are teachings from Sai Baba. Shraddha means faith with love, it is sanskrit word. Saburi means patience and perseverance. Devotees Hindu and Muslim religions come here.

Vaishno Devi (Katara):
The temple is at the height of 5200 feet in Jammu and Kashmir. Large number of devotees are visit this temple. Helicopter facility is available here to go to the temple.

Tirumala Tenkateswara Temple (Balaji):
Hundreds of millions of devotees across the country faith on Balaji. It is known as the country's richest shrine. Serenity to the devotees is the characteristics of the temple. A large number of devotees makes charity here.

C N R Rao

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:21:00 +0000

Chintamani Nagesa Ramchandra Rao was born on 30^thJune, 1934 to Hanumantha Nagesa and Nagamma in Bangalore. After his B.Sc from Mysore University, he got a master’s degree from Benaras Hindu University in 1953. He earned his PhD from Purdue University where he worked under Noble Laureate H.C. Brown on solid state chemistry. He studied the structure and phenomena in solids at microscopic level using sophisticated tools of spectroscopy in his own lab at the university. Totally new types of solids with entirely new properties useful for the industries could be created because of his researches.

In 1958, he joined the University of California at Berkeley as a research chemist. He started his career back in India as a lecturer at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore in 1959. He served as a professor of chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur from 1963-76 and as head of chemistry department from 1964-68. He was back at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 1976-84 as the chairman of solid state and structural Chemistry unit and materials research laboratory. From then onwards, he has been the Director of the institute of science. He was visiting professor at Purdue University in 1967-68, at Oxford University in 1974-75, and at Cambridge University in 1983.

Professor Rao’s prolific researches in solid state and Materials Chemistry places him as one of the topmost figures on the subject. His works on transition metal oxides have shown an unusual promise in room temperature superconductivity and magneto resistance, he published three books namely ‘chemical and Structural aspects of high temperature Superconductors’ in 1988, Bismuth and Thalium Cuprate Superconductors’ in 1989 and Chemistry of High Temperature Superconductors’ in 1991.

Rao received honorary doctorates from many Universities. Some of them are- Purdue University in 1982, Bordeaux University in 1983, and Wroclaw University in 1989.

He received Padma Vibhushan Award from president of India in 1985.

Even at the age of seventy two, he is working on nano-materials.

Prof. Rao says: “thought our generation might not see the fruits of Nanotechnology, I have been pursuing this. I want India to be in the forefront of nano-sciences.”

swami vivekananda's thought 5

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 10 May 2014 19:11:00 +0000

I, for one,

thoroughly

believe that no power

in the universe can withhold

from anyone anything

they really deserve

swami vivekananda's thought 4

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sun, 04 May 2014 06:14:00 +0000

As long as we believe

ourselves to be even the

least different from God,

fear remains with us;

but when we know

ourselves to be the One, fear goes;

of what can we be afraid?

swami vivekananda's thought 3

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 02:31:00 +0000

words are secondary,

thoughts live,

they travel far.

easter

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 04:46:00 +0000

Easter is the oldest Christian festival in Christianity.

Easter is the resurrection of the Lord. Easter is celebrated after fifty days of fasting and abstinence. It is the last day of the Lenten season.

Good Friday is a day of grief. Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reins the church from morning to dusk.

But by ten at night the church is full to observe the Easter Vigil. Christians go for midnight service and participate in all the ceremonies. In the darkness which envelops the church, new fire is struck and blessed. A big candle is then consecrated and from it is lighted many candles indicating the resurrection. During the Mass the message of the risen Lord is announced. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the hall.

Hallelujah is the joyous word of Easter wish. All greet each other ‘Happy Easter.’ Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebrations are rather spiritual and inward rather than social and showy. There will be grand dinner at home.

good friday

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 15:28:00 +0000

Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday. This Friday is observed in the holy week. The holy week is the last week of the Lenten season. Christians spend the lent in fasting and presence. Easter comes on Sunday after Good Friday. Although it is a sad day when Jesus was crucified, it is considered as Good Friday since Jesus sacrificed his life to save mankind.

This day is specially observed as a day of atonement. Christians fast, go to church and participate in the prayers and ceremonies. The services will be usually by three in the afternoon the time when Jesus died. The day is spent in prayer and meditation. Special processions are organized recalling the way of the cross or the journey of Jesus through streets of Jerusalem to the top of Calvary where he was crucified.

This cannot be considered as a festival but a day of great importance for all Christians to repent, confess their sins and try to lead better lives. It is means to wash away the sins, and come nearer to God.

WISHING PEACE AND SOLICE ON THIS BLESSED GOOD FRIDAY

mahavir jayanti

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:53:00 +0000

As the name indicates, Mahavir Jayanti is the birthday of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. Queen of Trishala gave birth to Mahavir in 599 B.C. the boy was always in search of truth and knowledge. He was named Vardhmana.

After Vaardhamana became the enlightened one or Thirthankara, he preached about truth, knowledge and non violence. Jainism has no belief in creator God and they believe that their religion is eternal. It is revealed in stages by a number of Thirthankaras.

Vardhamana Mahavira is consideres as the 24^th thirthankara. Jainism had split into two sets called Digambaras and Svetembaras. Charitable work, reverence for life and non violence are the highlights of this great religion established in India.

On Mahavir Jayanti, Jain temples are decorated with flags. In the morning the idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the ‘abhishek’. It is then placed in a cradle and carried in procession around the neighbourhood. The devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to the people in procession. Some sections of the community even participate in a grand procession.

Jains listen to lectures and stories of life and preaching of thirthankaras and take oath to lead a selfness life as preached by founders of the religion. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected to save cows from slaughter.

Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat on this day.
Happy Mahavir Jayanti to all everythingaboutindia.info visitors.

Bhaskaracharya: Astronomer and mathematician

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 16:31:00 +0000

He was a great astronomer. He was born in 1114 A.D. at Bijapur in Mysore. Bhaskara represents the height of mathematical and astronomical knowledge in India during 12^th century. His understanding of mathematics was yast and far ahead of the rest of the world by several centuries.

His main works were ‘lilavati’ (arithmetic) and ‘Bijaganita’ (algebra). His book ‘Siddhanta Shiromani’ was written in the year 115A.D. which consist two parts: Goladhyaya (Spheres) and and Grihganita (mathematics of the Planets).

He calculated Horoscope again and again, but the answer remained the same. The death of his future son in law was imminent. He would die soon after the marriage.

But wasn’t there a way out?

Yes!

The wedding should consummate at exact auspicious date and time, sumuhurtam (most favourable date and time) and no chances to be taken. Mechanical or digital clocks were not invented then. So he built a small sand clock, in which sand would flow from the top vessel into a bottom vessel through a small aperture. The level of sand in the bottom vessel indicated the time.

To comfort his bereaved daughter, he taught arithmetic to her. He named his book after her, as ‘Lilavati’ where arithmetic flowed as poetry.

‘Lilavati is divided into 13 chapters with 278 verses. It covers almost all the branches of the mathematics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Tables, the number system, and its operation like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square, cube, square root, cube root, fractions, zero and interest all are dealt with thoroughly.

‘Bijaganita’ (algebra) contains 213 verses. It describes the rules to deal with calculations of zero and infinity, and the concept of positive and negative numbers.

‘’Siddhanta Shiromani’ shows his knowledge of infinitesimal calculus and mathematical analysis, trigonometry, differential calculus and integral calculus.

‘Goladhyaya’ deals with circles and spheres. It has chapters on spherical trigonometry, ellipse calculations cosmography geography and planet motion.

Bhaskaracharya also discuss solar and lunar eclipses, conjunctions of the planets with each other and with the fixed stars, mean and true longitudes and latitudes of the planets and moon’s crescent.

He served as the head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain. It is now well known that Bhaskaracharya influenced mathematical developments in Europe and the Middle East.

Bhaskaracharya-I and Bhaskaracharya-II are the two satellites named after Bhaskarachary. There were built by the Indian space program that formed India’s first low orbit Earth Observation Satellite to collect the data on telemetry, oceanography and hydrology.

indian calender

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:08:00 +0000

Indian Calendar is based on the motions of the sun and moon and it is dated from the so called Saka Era, equivalent to AD79. It is used for dating religious and other festival but Gregorian calendar is used for official dates.

Months Days Gregorian dates which coincides with first day

1 chaitra 30 22 March

2 vaishakha 31 21 April

3 Jyaistha 31 22 May

4 Asadha 31 22 June

5 Sravana 31 23 July

6 Bhadrapada 31 23 August

7 Aswina 30 23 September

8 Kartika 30 23 October

9 Agrahayana 30 22 November

10 Pausa 30 22 December

11 Magha 30 21 January

12 Phalguna 30 20 February

In leap year, chaitra has 31 days and 1 chaitra coincides with 21 march.

BENJAMIN PEARY PAL (1906 -1989 A.D.)

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 10:07:00 +0000

“The gate of life swings to and fro,

And soon, too soon, it closes,

And that is why beside my doors,

I grew red roses.”

This quotation from the book ‘The rose-Its beauty and science’ is a vivid expression of his personal philosophy. His life was a combination of dignity, courtesy, compassion and love of beauty.

The man who saw science behind the beauty of roses is Benjamin Peary Pal. He was not only the father of Roses but also was the harbinger of green revolution in India.

Though Peary Pal was born at Mukundpur, Punjab, on 26^th May, 1906. He spent his early life in Burma. He was addicted to winning prizes and scholarships. He passed his M.Sc. in botany from Rangoon University. In 1929, he left for Cambridge to do research on wheat. When he returned to Burma with aPh.D.five years later, he was appointed as Assistant Rice Research Officer at Central Rice Research Station at Himawbi.

In 1933, he came back to India as a second Economic Botanist at the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute at Pusa in Bihar. He soon headed the botany division of the Institute which is now Indian Agricultural Research Institution in New Delhi. In 1950, he was appointed as the Director of the Institution. When Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR)was recognized in 1965, Dr. Benjamin Peary Pal became its first Director General.

In the pre-independence and early post-independence days, there was not much accent on agricultural research in India. A multitude of various diseases destroyed the crops and the country had to depend on imports from affluent countries to feed hungry mouths.

Pal enters such a scenario. Rice and wheat are staple diet of the country and Pal made a mental mission to develop new varieties of wheat which could resist diseases. He gave a clarion call to search for new genes. The outcome was new breed NP (New Pusa) 700 and NP 800 series, which could resist a certain type of rust, a common form of disease killing wheat crops.

He was not satisfied. After eighteen long years of conscientious research NP 809 was planted in 1954. It was a major breakthrough as variety could combat all three types of rust and the curtain rose for green revolution. There was applause all over the world for achievement of unassuming Indian scientist. That was not end. He made extensive researches in potato and tobacco.

Benjamin Peary Pal was never married though he known as the Father of Roses. He liked to be remembered as a bachelor wedded to the roses. With his unparalleled works, he bred some of the most beautiful varieties of roses named as – Dr. HomiBhabha, Delhi Princes, Apsara, Banjaran, Dilruba, Homage etc. he developed about forty varieties of roses. One of his most popular books is ‘The Rose in India’. He was a founder member of Rose Society of India and remained its President for several years.

Awards and acclaim poured in with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Prize, the BirbalSahni Medal and the Ramanujan Medal, IRF Gold Medal, Sir William Jones Medal and Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Award. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1972. He was the member of Education Commission of India and first Chairman of the Government of India’s committee on Environment. He was also President of Indian Botanical Society, Horticultural Society of India, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding. He was the President of Indian National Science Academy. However, nothing can match the admiration he received from the farmers.

In 1946, he created a plant Exploration and Collection Unit within IARI. It is now an independent ICAR Bureau, the NBPGR holding the 4^th largest collection in the world. He has over 160 scientific publications and five books to his credit

As a role model for the scientific community, he brought research from labs to farms. For over three decades, he shaped the course of research and strengthened educational infrastructure. More than 30 scientists were awarded Ph.D under his guidance.

He was wedded to wheat, roses, bougainvillea and painting. The red roses, he grew beside his door must have cried on 14^th September 1989, when he left them.

At an early age, Benjamin Peary Pal was introduced to plants. His father, though a physician, spent his spare time growing flowers and vegetables in their garden. Once when he was tired he asked teenaged Pal to look after the garden. Pal not only began to take care of plants but also started improving them after reading books on gardening and seed catalogues. Plants became his lifelong friends. Even in his seventies, he took care of them with affection as he did when he was a boy.

Holi:festival of colours

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 14:52:00 +0000

What is HOLI?

Holi is a spring harvesting festival celebrated with piety, devotion and excitement. It is celebrated over two days after the full moon in early March. Holi is not dedicated to any deity.

History behind HOLI?

The legend usually associated with Holi revolves around a wicked king. His son prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The king tried to prevent his son from worshiping Lord Vishnu, with the aid of his sister Holika. Holika had a boon that made her immune to the effects of fire. But his plan failed and prahlad escaped unharmed while Holika was burnt to death.

How HOLI is celebrated?

Harvested grains and coconuts are offered as offering to the fire in rejoicing at the fertility of the land.

On the evening of the first day bonfires are lit in public places and the next day people celebrate in a festival mood as they throw coloured powder and water at each other.

In Vrindavan and Mathura the festival is celebrated for 16 days in commemoration of the divine love by playing of Radha for Krishna. Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the gopis. The celebrations officially bring in spring, the season of love.

Holi has lot of importance in India. And because of this in the Bollywood industry there are many movies having song for Holi. “Hori Khele Raghuveera” this song is from Baghban movie released on 3^rd October 2003 directed by Ravi Chopra. In recent movie of Ayan Mukerji Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani has song “Balam Pichkari” dedicated to Holi.

And finally Happy Holi to everythingaboutindia.info visitors.

MAHASHIVARATHRI

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 04:53:00 +0000

Shivarathri means auspicious night. It is the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, when the moon is waning and the sun is the sign of Aquarius. The festival is however, related to the moon rather than sun. That is the reason why it is called Shivrathri.(the night of Shiva)

Shivarathri is celebrated in all Shiva temples. Among the festival days, Maha Shivarathri is of exceptional importance. On Maha Shivarathri God is in close proximity to man.

One of the mythological stories is that Lord Shiva had the poison “Kalakood” to save the universe and the Devas spent a sleepless night in fasting and prayer around him on Shivarathri day. People believe that one’s sins will be washed off by spending a sleepless night in fasting and prayer.

As this night precedes the new moon, it will be pitch dark everywhere outside, the heart will be filled with blessings on this sacred night. That is why this is observed as Shivarathri. Though the entire world is dark outside, if one keeps his heart filled with divine thoughts, he will be filled with blessings.

We have Maha Shivarathri once a year, but Shivarathri every month id dedicated to the worship of Shiva. It is not this night alone that you should spend in the thought of Shiva. Your whole life must be lived in the constant presence of the lord. This is the night devoted to the chanting of the sacred name of Shiva.

Holy days like Shivarathri are marked out in order to impress upon the mind of man his duty to impose control on his senses and vigilance on his intelligence to keep away from all worldly desires.

Immerse your mind in good thoughts and world will be good. This is the message of Shivarathri.

swami vivekananda's thought 2

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:56:00 +0000

there is no help for you outside of yourself;

you are the creator of the universe;

Like the silkworm you built a cacoon around yourself...

Burst your own cocoon and come out as the beautiful butterfly,

as the free soul.

Then alone you will see Truth.

swami vivekananda's thought 1

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 17:23:00 +0000

Truth can be stated as thousands different ways,

yet each can be true..

Republic day 2014

noreply@blogger.com (etai members) — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 14:32:00 +0000

Republic day is one of the most spectacular National Festivals of India. It is celebrated on 26^th January in all state capitals and New Delhi. India became a sovereign republic by adopting the constitution of our own on 26^thJanuary 1950.

On Republic day we rededicate ourselves to preserve national unity, integrity, secular and democratic frame work stated in Indian Constitution.

The main function of Republic Day celebration is in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. A grand parade is organized where the three armed forces, the paramilitary, and police participate. Our President, the Supreme commander of all armed forces takes the salute.

The N.C.C, Scouts and guides also participate. Decorated floats from different states with special themes move along. There will be a colourful display of dances from different parts of country. Republic Day parade is an occasion to reveal the Indian military might. So the latest defense weapons and vehicles are displayed. Some world leaders will be the chief guest of each Republic Day celebration.

Governors of states take salute in the parades in each state capital as the representatives of head of Indian republic. Republic Day celebrations conclude on January 29^th with a military mass band ‘beating the retreat’ at New Delhi. It is a matter of pride for every citizen to get an opportunity to participate in the Great event.

taj mahal

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:13:00 +0000

An Indian marvel in architectural excellence, the Taj Mahal is pointed out by Western historians as a beauty unsurpassed. Build by Mughal emperor hah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal on the banks of the River Yamuna at Agra, the Taj has built entirely of white marble.

Describe as an elegy in marble, the Taj Mahal is mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later.

Constructed over a period of 22 years, employing 20000 workers, the Taj was completed in 1648 at a cost close to Rs 32 million. The historical record says that the master architect was Ustad Isa, who employed expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, Mullan, Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara. The monument has been constructed on a raised square platform with shape of an octagon. The architect has deployed the principles of self-replicating geometry and symmeby of architectural elements, has been pointed out.

The taj mahal has on top a central dome of 58 feet in diameter and a height of 213 feet. Apart from this, four slender minarets of 162.5 feet each add to the beauty. The mausoleum has calligraphy and floral designs using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways boast of passages from Holy Quran. The mausoleum is part of vast complex. Thousands visit the Taj Mahal every year from across India and from abroad to have a glimpse of exquisite monument.

makar sankranti

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 13:35:00 +0000

Makar Sankranti is a holy seasonal festival of India. It falls on January 14, Astrologically it is a day on which sun shifts to the tropic of Capricorn from the tropic Cancer. Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition or change.

The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is a Swami of Makar Rashi. The day and night of Makara Sankranti are of exactly equal hours. It is one of the most auspicious days for body and soul. The famous Gayatri Mantra is directed to Sun God to bless them with wisdom. The not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom.

Ritual baths are held at holy rivers. Lakhs of people take dip in places like Ganga Sagar and prayag and pray to Lord Sun. Floating of lamps in holy rivers in the evening is held in many parts of India. It is the end of evil and the beginning of righteous living.

In Uttar Pradesh, taking a dip in the holy rivers is most lucky. In Bengal a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as ‘Pongal.’ In Maharashtra people try to forget past ill-feelings and resolve to remain friends. In Gujarat they give gifts to relatives.

The most important religious ritual is at Sabarimala, a forest shrine in Kerala. The devotees of Ayyappa end the 40 days anushtana on this day. By the evening of Makar Sankranti Capricorn appears in the east of the shrine and lakhs of devotees feel great contentment at a glance at the holy star.

Many tribals in our country start their New Year by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their favourite dishes.

pongal

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 13:25:00 +0000

Pongal is the harvest festival in Tamilnadu. It is celebrated on 14^thJanuary. ‘Pongal’ is the name given for rice spacially cook in milk. The word Pongal means to rise up, or overflow.

The festival is celebrated for four days under different names from 13^thonwards. They are ‘Bogi’, ’Pongal’, ’Maattuppongal’ and ‘Thiruvalluvar Day.’

On the Bogi day people throw away old materials and clean up their houses. Houses are painted white. All bathe their farm animals and decorate them with colored powders and paints.

Pongal is the first day of the auspicious Tamil month Thai. People worship the Sun God. People cook pongal in clay pots. When the cooked rice swells up and overflows all shut in joy pongalo-pongal. The overflowed milk is believed to be a sign of a prosperous season ahead. Like any other festival it is time to exchange greetings and sweets. People visit their friends and relatives. Harvested sugarcane is eaten by all. People visit their native towns and villages during the harvest festival season.

Maattuppongal is the day for farm animals – especially bulls. Bulls, cows and other farm animals are worshipped on this day. Farmers gather to display their fierce bulls. Each bull has cloth tied around its neck containing money. The owner of the bull challenges the rest of the people to bring the bull under control to get the victory cloth away from its neck. The bulls are made angry with lots of noise from the drums, whistles, shouts and even smoke. Fatal accidents happen at time.

Thiruvalluvar made a significant contribution to Tamil Literature with Thirukkural. There are 1330 verses of two lines each in this work and they talk about all aspects of human life

National youth day

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 14:24:00 +0000

The Government of India has declared 12^th January as National Youth Day. It is the birthday of Sri Swami Vivekananda the great philosopher, the embodiment of Indian culture. He was born in Calcutta on this day in year 1863. He was attracted to the great Indian sage Sri Rama Krishna and became his disciple. He died at the age of 39. His famous speech at the World Religious Conference in Chicago won him world fame.

He stands as a role model for generations in various respects. Swami Vivekananda inspired many people including great leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose through his works. His works have inspired the youth to achieve great things in life.

The National Youth Day is celebrated with marches and processions organized by Vivekananda Educational Society to mark the occasion. The day’s functions are focused on imbibing Indian Culture among the present day youth. A pageant is also organized highlighting cultural symbols from the epic Ramayana.

Manavata, a voluntary organization, inspires youth to channelize their powers towards the development of the Nation, Working for fulfillment of basic needs of the people and creating awarenessin various aspects of health, education, technology etc. They also organize clothes distribution to poor and the needy.

CHILDREN'S DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 14:18:00 +0000

Birthday of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru is celebrated as children’s day. It is a national festival all over India. Jawahar Lal Nehru was born on 14^th November in 1889, at Allahabad. His father Moti Lal Nehru was a rich man and famous advocate. Leaving all the wealth and fortunes earned by his father. Jawahar Lal come to the central stage of freedom struggle for India. He was prison for several years.

But for all the horrifying period of struggle he had kept deep attachment and affection to children. Whenever he got a chance he rushed to the children nearby. He wore a fresh rose in his buttonhole as a symbol of his affection for children.

Actually, as the architect of modern India, he was learning a lot from the faces and talks of little children. After becoming the first Prime Minister of India he fulfilled the long time dream of Indian children by providing free education up to the primary level.

Children of India remember Chacha on November 14^th and celebrate his birthday as their own day. Children’s day is celebrated in all schools of our country. Special programs and competitions are organized in public too to make the children feel happy and proud of their land and people. It is an occasion to make all aware that the children of today are citizens of tomorrow.

DIWALI

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 09:07:00 +0000

The word ‘Deepavali, means an array of lights (Deep – Lamp, Aavali – Array). It falls on the previous day of the New Moon in between mid of October and November.

The celebration of Diwali is closely related with India’s two classic epics the Ramayan and Mahabharata. According to mythology, this is celebrated to commemorate Rama’s return from exile at the end of fourteen years. It is also in memory of the destruction of the demon called Narakasura by Lord Krishna.

The people of Dwaraka greeted Lord Krishna with illumination and rejoicing in honuor of his victory. The darkness of the Chatudasi night forced them to use many lamps on the occasion, and the illumination became a part of this celebration.

Before sunrise, all have their oil bath and put on new clothes. Sweets are served followed by bursting of crackers. As the light dispels darkness, ignorance is replaced b knowledge. The prayer in the Upanishad ‘Thamasoma Jyothirgamaya’ means “lead us from the darkness to light.”

Deepavali is associated with merchants and the Goddess of weath. It is the practice in south India to consume a preparation of dry ginger and jiggery soon after the oil bath on the Deepavali day. Dry ginger and jiggery from the Niveda (offering) for Dhanwantari, the great exponent of Ayurveda.

Deepavali is celebrated by the lighting of many lamps in every courtyard and bursting of crackers. Sweetmeats and new clothes are part of the celebration. The festival of lights is celebrated all over the world in different forms

First In India - Male

noreply@blogger.com (Akshay Bharambe) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 12:54:00 +0000

1) The first president of Republic India - Dr Rajendra Prasad.

2) The first Prime Minister of India - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

3) The first Indian who win Nobel prize - Rabindranath Tagore.

4) The first President of Indian National Congress - W.C. Banerjee.

5) The first Muslim President of Indian National Congress - Baddrudin Tayyabaji.

6) The first British Governal General of India - Warren Hastings.

7) The first British Viceroy of India - Lord Canning.

8) The first Governor General of Free India - Lord Mountbatten.

9) The first and Last Indian to be Governal General of free India - C. Rajgopalachari.

10) The first man who invented Printing Press in India - James Hicky.

11) The first Indian to join L.C.S. - Satyendra Nath Tadore.

12) India's first man in Space - Rakesh Sharma.

13) The first Chief of Army Staff - Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji.

14) The first Indian Commander-in-Chief of India - General Cariappa.

15) The first field marshal of India - S.H.F. Manekshaw.

16) The first Indian member of the Viceroy's Executive council - S.P. Sinha.

17) The first Prime Minister of India who did not face the Parliment - Charan Singh.

18) The first Primr Minister who resigned without completing the full term - Mararji Desai.

19) The first Indian to get Nobel prize in Physics - C.V. Raman.

20) The first Indian to receive Bharat Ratna Award - Dr. Radhakrishnan.