Current Affairs search results for tag: festivals
By admin: April 9, 2023

1. Third edition of the Jammu Film Festival begins

Tags: Festivals State News

Third edition of the Jammu Film Festival begins

In Jammu and Kashmir, the third edition of the Jammu Film Festival, sponsored by the J&K Tourism Department, began with a grand opening at Abhinav Theatre on 8 April.

An overview of the news

  • The festival featured parallel screenings of 25 feature films, short films and documentaries from Iran, India, France and the United States.

  • The inaugural section of the festival featured short films and a documentary from countries such as Iran, India, France and the United States.

  • These included Nahid, Kav Kav, Fatih the Conqueror, Sandhanam and Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles. 

  • The festival aims to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a platform to filmmakers to showcase their talent.

  • About 25 feature films, short films and documentaries were screened on the first day of the festival.

  • The festival features screening of 50 feature films, short films and documentaries from 11 countries.

  • In addition to screenings, the festival will also host side events such as panel discussions, red-carpet events, culture showcases and painting exhibitions.

By admin: April 7, 2023

2. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate Gaj Utsav at Kaziranga in Assam

Tags: Festivals State News

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate Gaj Utsav at Kaziranga in Assam

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a two-day 'Gaj Utsav-2023' on April 7 at the Kaziranga National Park High School’s playground field in Assam. 

An overview of the news

  • Meanwhile, President Murmu also enjoyed cultural performances including Bhortal, Jhumur and Bihu dance forms by Assamese artistes at Kohora.

  • The President also flag off the ‘Mount Kanchenjunga Expedition-2023’.

  • President Murmu attended the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court as the chief guest and also launched a mobile app "Bhoroxa" designed for the safety of women and the elderly.

  • President Murmu is on a three-day visit to the northeastern state.

  • The Gauhati High Court was established on 5th April, 1948 for the seven North Eastern States.

  • However, after the establishment of separate High Courts for the 3 states, the Gauhati High Court now exercises jurisdiction over the remaining four states.

About Gaj Utsav

  • Kaziranga Gaja Utsav is an annual festival held in the national park to promote the conservation and protection of elephants.

  • It is jointly organized by the Forest and Tourism Departments to draw attention and find a solution to the growing human-elephant conflict in the state.

  • This is being organized to mark the completion of 30 years of Project Elephant.

  • The Government of India started Project Elephant in the year 1992 to protect elephants, their migration routes and natural habitats.

  • Assam has the second largest population of elephants in the country after Karnataka.

  • Kaziranga National Park being a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ideal place for Gaja Utsav.

About Assam State 

  • Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

  • Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

  • Number of Districts - 33

  • Lok Sabha seats - 14

  • Rajya Sabha seats - 7

  • State Animal - Indian Rhinoceros

  • State Bird - White Winged Duck

  • National Parks – Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park


By admin: April 3, 2023

3. Two-day Science-20 conference begins at Hapania International Fair Ground, Agartala

Tags: Festivals

Two-day Science-20 conference begins at Hapania International Fair Ground, Agartala

The Science-20 Summit under India's G20 chairmanship began today at the Hapania International Fair Grounds in Agartala, Tripura. The conference will run for two days and more than 60 delegates are participating in it.

An Overview of the News 

  • The theme of the science conference is 'Clean Energy for a Green Future' and it is a part of the G20 meetings.

  • The conference will discuss three sub-themes, including green hydrogen, ocean-based technologies and new generation energy storage.

About the G20

  • It is an international forum for economic cooperation that plays an important role in shaping global governance on major economic issues.

  • India will chair the G20 from December 2022 to November 2023.

  • The G20 was established in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for finance ministers and central bank governors.

  • In 2008, the G20 was upgraded to the level of heads of state/government in response to the global financial crisis.

  • The G20 focuses on a wide range of topics, including trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, the environment, climate change and anti-corruption.

  • The G20 consists of 19 countries and the European Union, representing approximately 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of global trade, and nearly two-thirds of the world's population.


By admin: March 26, 2023

4. National Science Centre organizes Innovation Festival

Tags: Festivals National News

The two-day National Science Center Innovation Festival event was inaugurated in New Delhi on 25 March.

An overview of the news

  • The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Balram Bhargava (Chief Guest) President, NASI, Former Secretary, Department of Health Research, Govt of India.

  • The closing ceremony on March 26, 2023 was presided over by Dr. Debashish Mohanty, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.

  • It aims to foster a passion and aptitude for science and technology and provide a unique platform to innovative and creative innovators.

  • The Innovation Festival consisted of Innovation Fair, Creative Robo Design, Innovative Challenges for families, Family Science Quiz, Popular Science lecture, Workshop on Intellectual Property Right and Idea Contest.

  • The festival provides an opportunity to the people to showcase their innovative works and the products made by them in the past.

  • It is a platform for innovators to showcase their creative work and interact with others from different fields.

By admin: March 24, 2023

5. Urban Climate Film Festival, 2023

Tags: Festivals

The National Institute of Urban Affairs is organising the first Urban Climate Film Festival under U20 engagement events from 24 March.

An overview of the news

  • The Urban Climate Film Festival was launched on 24 March at the ML Bhartia Auditorium in New Delhi.

  • The festival is being organized with the support of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union.

  • A curated selection of 11 films from 9 countries will be screened to create wider awareness of the impact of climate change on life in cities and engage the public in the dialogue on sustainable urban development.

  • Selected films will be screened at the festival in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

  • The event, to be held from 25 to 26 March 2023, includes 11 award-winning films and interactive sessions from countries such as India, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland and USA.

About National Institute of Urban Affairs

  • It is a central autonomous body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

  • It is a national think-tank undertaking cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, knowledge exchange and capacity development, policy planning in the area of urban development.

  • It is also serving as the technical secretariat for the U20, the urban engagement group of the G20.


By admin: March 22, 2023

6. Ugadi Festival 2023

Tags: Festivals

In the year 2023 Ugadi festival is going to be celebrated by the citizens on 22 March.

About Ugadi festival

  • Widely celebrated in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the new year festival Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

  • The day falls on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, and usually occurs in March or April.

  • Ugadi begins with the first day of the nine-day festival Chaitra Navratri, and also marks the beginning of spring.

  • It is believed that on this day Lord Brahmacreated the universe.

  • The name 'Yugadi' itself is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and adi (beginning) - 'the beginning of a new age'.

  • In the 12th century, the Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya recognized Ugadi as the beginning of the new year.

  • People from all walks of life celebrate this day by wearing new clothes and eating delicious food.

  • They offer prayers at temples to welcome the new year, and they decorate their homes with rangolis, which are designs made of colored rice or flower petals on the floor.

By admin: March 20, 2023

7. Matua mela is being organised in West Bengal

Tags: Festivals State News

The Matua Mela is being organized in West Bengal to commemorate the 212th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur, the founder of the Matua sect.

About Matua Maha Mela

  • West Bengal is hosting the Matua Maha Mela 2023 from March 19 to March 25.

  • This Mela is being organized by All India Matua Federation.

  • It is being organized at Shridham Thakurnagar, Thakurbari in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal.

  • The occasion offers the chance for the Matua community to get together, take part in religious rituals, and honour their spiritual elders.

  • The occasion provides an important opportunity to this community to highlight their customs and cultural heritage.

Matua Community

  • The Matua community has a sizeable population in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.

  • The Matua sect was founded by Sri Sri Harichand Thakur in the nineteenth century.

  • Over the years the Matua community has faced many hardships including marginalization and prejudice.

  • The community has persevered in keeping alive its unique cultural heritage and traditions.

  • After the formation of Bangladesh, their large population migrated to India.

  • Many people of the community are yet to obtain Indian citizenship.

By admin: March 14, 2023

8. G20 Flower Festival begins in New Delhi

Tags: Festivals

From 11 March, the Flower Festival began at Delhi's Connaught Plaza with an aim to showcase the diversity of the G20 participants and invited nations.

News Overview

  • It was inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.

  • Themain objective of the festival is to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of the G20 members and guest countries.

  • To achieve this objective, the festival will showcase a variety of flowering plants in various colours and arrangements, highlighting the richness of the Indian subcontinent.

  • Along with plants, paintings and photographs of flowers from G20 members and invited countries will be displayed.

  • The festival provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty and diversity of flora and cultural heritage of the participating countries.

About the G20

  • It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.

  • Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

  • The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.

By admin: March 11, 2023

9. 'Divya Kala Mela' to be held at Bhopal Haat, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Tags: Festivals State News

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) is organizing ‘Divya Kala Mela’ from 12th to 21st March, 2023 at Bhopal Haat, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

An overview of the news

  • The event will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangu Bhai Patel on 12Th March.

  • It is a unique event showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country.

  • The event will provide an exciting experience to the visitors of vibrant products from different parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States which will bring together handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works and packaged food etc.

  • Around 150 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from around 21 States/UTs will be showcasing their products and skills.

  • The wide range of products includes - home decor & lifestyle, clothing, stationery & eco-friendly products, packaged food & organic products, toys & gifts, personal accessories - jewelry, clutch bags etc.

  • It will be an opportunity for all to be 'Vocal for Local' and products made by Divyang artisans can be seen/purchased.

  • In December 2022, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities organized the Divya Kala Mela at the historic Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

By admin: March 4, 2023

10. National Youth Parliament Festival

Tags: Festivals

 4th edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF)

The 4th edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) began on 2 March 2023 at the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi.

An overview of the news

  • The fourth edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival, 2023 was launched with the theme "Ideas for a Better Tomorrow: India for the World".

  • Its objective is to strengthen democracy and enable the student community to understand the working of Parliament.

  • The event saw the participation of 87 state level winners competing for the top positions, wherein 29 finalists were presented before the National Jury for final selection.

  • Members of the jury also included Members of Parliament and Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

  • More than 2.01 lakh youth from 748 districts of all states and union territories participated in it at 150 locations across the country.

About National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF)

  • It is based on the idea given by the Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat Address.

  • The 1st edition was organized in 2019 with the theme “Be the Voice of New India and Find solutions and Contribute to Policy”.

  • The second edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival 2021 was organized with the theme "YUVAAH- Utsah Naye Bharat Ka".

  • The 3rd edition of the Festival was organized in 2022 with the theme “Be the Voice of New India and Find solutions and Contribute to Policy”. 

The National Youth Parliament Festival is organized at three levels-

  1. District Youth Parliament (DYP) - Preliminary round of screening is conducted for selection of youth to participate in DYP by Jury.

  2. State Youth Parliament (SYP) - Youth selected by jury from District Youth Parliament participate in SYP at State level.

  3. National Youth Parliament (NYP) - Youth selected by the jury from the State Youth Parliament participate at the National level in NYP at New Delhi.