1. Vishu being celebrated in Middle East
Tags: Festivals
In Dubai, Vishu, the traditional New Year festival of Keralites, is being celebrated with tradition and modernity this year.
An overview of the news
The World Malayali Council has marked the celebration of Vishu this year with special emphasis on environmental consciousness.
The Malayali community traditionally celebrates Vishu by exchanging token money, known as 'Vishu Kaneetam'.
This year, in lieu of the customary monetary offering, the council introduced 'Vishu Thenitam', which translates as 'Vishu Sapling Gift'.
The office-bearers of the Council started this eco-friendly festival by gifting a sapling to Dr. Aman Puri, Consulate General of India.
This new approach to Vishu festival not only promotes the value of nature and sustainability but also reflects the growing awareness of the need for environmental protection.
About Vishu Festival
Vishu, the traditional New Year festival of the Indian state of Kerala, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the region.
This festival is celebrated in the month of April which marks the beginning of a new year according to the Malayalam calendar.
The day is considered auspicious and is celebrated with various rituals and customs, including the setting up of a special arrangement called Vishukani, consisting of things such as rice, fruits, flowers and coins, which bring prosperity and abundance. There are symbols.
2. Baisakhi and Bohag Bihu harvest festival: 14 April
Tags: Festivals
Baisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated in the Punjab and Haryana regions of India and Bohag Bihu is a harvest festival of Assam.
An Overview of the News
Baisakhi:
- It marks the harvest season and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.
- Baisakhi also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa sect of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
- The festival holds great religious significance for the Sikh community, who celebrate the day with great enthusiasm and devotion.
- Sikhs visit Gurdwaras, offer prayers and participate in processions.
Bohag Bihu:
- Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, is a harvest festival of Assam.
- Celebrated in mid-April, it marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
- The festival is celebrated with cultural programmes, traditional dances and feasts.
Other Harvest or New Year Festivals in India:
- Pohela Boishakh - West Bengal
- Pana Sankranti - in Odisha
- Puthandu - Tamil Nadu
- Vishu - Kerala
3. SCO Millets Food Festival 2023 organized in Mumbai
Tags: Festivals
The Union Ministry of Tourism is organizing the fourth and final event of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Millets Food Festival at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai from 13 to 19 April 2023.
An Overview of the News:
- In this Millets Food Festival, chefs from SCO member countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia) will participate in the nine-day event.
- The Taj Mahal Palace will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Millets Food Festival to mark the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
- The SCO Millets Food Festival will be open to the public for lunch and dinner from April 14 to 19 at Shamiana Restaurant, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai.
- India is chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for the year 2023.
SCO Tourism Mart:
- The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has successfully completed the organization of SCO Tourism Mart from 9th to 11th February 2023.
- SCO Expert Level Tourism Working Group meeting and SCO Tourism Ministers meeting held from 13 to 18 March 2023 in Kashi (Varanasi).
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
- It is an intergovernmental organization consisting of eight member states, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, four observer states, and fourteen "dialogue partner" states.
4. Third edition of the Jammu Film Festival begins
Tags: Festivals State News
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.
5. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate Gaj Utsav at Kaziranga in Assam
Tags: Festivals State News
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
6. Two-day Science-20 conference begins at Hapania International Fair Ground, Agartala
Tags: Festivals
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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
