1. PM Modi addressed the 75th 'Amrut Mahotsav' of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Sansthan
Tags: Festivals National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 75th Amrut Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan via video-conferencing on December 24.
Important facts
- The five-day Amrit Mahotsav celebrations were inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Sahajanand nagar in Rajkot on 22 December.
- Spiritual leaders, saints and devotees from across the world are participating in large numbers in the grand Amrit Mahotsav celebrations to be held at Sahajanand Nagar in Rajkot.
- Mega blood donation camps, free medical check-up camps are being organized during Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, where renowned doctors are providing free medical services and free medicines to the people.
About Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan
- It was established at Rajkot in 1948 by seer Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami.
- It has expanded significantly and currently has more than 40 branches across the world, providing school, undergraduate and postgraduate education to more than 25,000 students.
2. Tamil Nadu government announces Rs 1000, rice and sugar to ration holders on the occasion of Pongal
Tags: Festivals Person in news State News
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced that the ration card holders in the state will get Rs 1000, one kg of rice and sugar each on the occasion of pongal harvest festival to be held in January 2023.
According to the state government all ’Rice’ ration card holders will be eligible for including the families residing in Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Camps.
It is expected to benefit 2.19 crore ration card holders and the government will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 2,356.67 crore.
The chief minister will launch the Pongal Gift scheme on January 2. The festival will be celebrated on 15 January 2023.
Pongal festival
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community. It is a celebration to thank the Sun, Mother Nature and the various farm animals that help to contribute to a bountiful harvest. Celebrated over four days, Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is considered an auspicious month. It usually falls on the 14th or 15th of January each year.
Pongal is also the name of the dish made and eaten during this festival. It is a mixture of boiled sweet rice. It is derived from the Tamil word pongu, which means “to boil over”.
First day of pongal is called Bhogi Pongal. The second day is called Surya Pongal where Sun god is worshiped. The third day is called Maatu pongal where the cattles (Maatu) are worshiped and the 4th day is observed as Kaanum Pongal.
3. PM Modi to inaugurate National Youth Conference in Karnataka on 12 January 2023
Tags: Festivals place in news State News
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced on 21 December 2022 that the 26th National Youth festival 2023 will be held in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad. The chief minister said that the National Youth Festival will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 January 2023.
The National Youth Festival is organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with one of the State Governments.
The National Youth Festival is organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand which falls on 12 January.
The first National Youth Festival was started in 1995 as a major activity under the programme of National Integration Camp.
The 25th National Youth Festival was organised in Puducherry.
Swami Vivekananda's birthday on January 12 is always celebrated as National Youth Day and 12-16 January every year is observed as the National Youth Week.
4. Agriculture Ministry organises Millet Food Festival in Parliament
Tags: Festivals National News
To raise awareness about the importance of millets, the Ministry of Agriculture organised the Millet Food Festival in Parliament on 20 December.
Important facts
During the Millet food festival, branding of Millet and recipes displayed and millet-based food items served to the Members of Parliament in the Parliament House premises.
Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organised the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYOM 2023) in Rome, Italy.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) accepted the proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millet provide an affordable and nutritious option.
5. PM participated in inaugural function of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav in Ahmedabad
Tags: Festivals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the inaugural function of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav on 14 December in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Important facts
In the birth centenary year of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, people from across the world are celebrating his life and work.
The year-long worldwide celebrations will culminate in the 'Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Festival', which will be hosted by the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibagh, the worldwide headquarters of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
It will be a month-long festival that will take place in Ahmedabad from 15 December 2022 to 15 January 2023, with daily events, thematic exhibitions and thought-provoking pavilions.
About Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guide and guru widely respected and admired in India and around the world as a great spiritual leader.
His life was devoted to spirituality and service to humanity. As the leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, he inspired countless cultural, social and spiritual initiatives while caring for millions of people.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
It was established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj.
Based on the teachings of the Vedas and founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, BAPS reaches far and wide to address today's spiritual, ethical and social challenges.
It aims to preserve values of faith, unity, and selfless service, and provides for the spiritual, cultural, physical, and emotional needs of people from all walks of life.
6. 20th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival
Tags: Festivals
The 20th Edition of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival kicked off on 8 December 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Important facts
The festival was organised from December 8 to 12, 2022.
Hindi film Ayena, directed and produced by Siddhant Sirin, showcased at the 20th edition of Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival.
55 films in Nepali, Korean, Hindi, Spanish, Russian, French, Dioula, Italian and lLbanese language have been presented.
It resumed physical screening after two years due to the pandemic and screened many films from around the world.
This year, the audience got a chance to watch more than 60 films from 30 different countries at the National Sabga Griha and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Exhibition Road.
This year the theme of the film fest is 'Sustainable Summits' and it showcased documentaries, fiction, shorts as well as experimental and animated films.
Some of the Major Film Festivals celebrated in Asia
International Film Festival of India, India - It is organized annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals and the State Government of Goa. This year the festival was conducted from November 20 to 28 in the coastal state of Goa.
Busan International Film Festival, South Korea - The first-ever International film festival organized in South Korea. The first edition of the festival started in 1996 in which a total of 169 films from 31 countries participated.
Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong - The festival is organized annually by the Hong Kong International Film Society with the aim of making world cinema accessible and affordable to the public.
Shanghai International Film Festival, China - Celebrating Shanghai's film culture and film industry, the festival was first held in 1994. In its 24th edition, which was to be held in 2021, the film festival saw participation of 4,443 films from 113 countries.
7. Jharokha: A Compendium of Indian handicraft, handloom, art and culture” held in Delhi
Tags: Festivals place in news
The Union ministry of Textile in partnership with the Union Ministry of Culture is organizing “Jharokha-Compendium of Indian handicraft/ handloom, art and culture” at Delhi from 2nd December 2022 to 15th December 2022. Jharokha is a celebration of the traditional Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and art & culture.
The “Jharokha-Compendium of Indian handicraft/ handloom, art and culture” is being organised across 13 states and Union Territories at 161 locations as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Union ministry of Textile in partnership with the Union Ministry of Culture.
The first event was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh from 8th March 2022 on the occasion of the International Women’s day. The first event focussed on womanhood and the contribution of women in the field of art, craft and culture.
The celebrations at Jharokha will include showcasing of handicraft and handloom products from across the country. Artisans, weavers, and artists who have given their significant contribution in promoting and reviving Indian handloom, handicrafts, art and culture will also be felicitated in the event.
Union Minister for Culture: G.Kishan Reddy
Union Minister for Textile: Piyush Goel
8. First 'Divya Kala Mela' for divyang artist starts in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals place in news National
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the Divya Kala Mela in Kartavya Path (earlier known as Raj Path) at India Gate, New Delhi on 2 December 2022. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhowmik was also present on the occasion.
The mela is being organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2 -7 December 2022.
Dr. Virendra Kumar said that Divya Kala Mela will be organized across the country.
The Mela s aims to provide a great platform for the products and craftsmanship of Divyang artisans, craftsmen and artisans from across the country.
Around 200 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from 22 states and union territories will showcase their products and skills in the fair.
9. ‘Swar Dharohar Festival’ to showcase Indian culture starts at the India Gate in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals place in news
The “Swar Dharohar Festival” a music, arts and literature festival to showcase the iconic art and culture of India started at the Central Vista, India Gate, New Delhi on 2 December 2022.
The “Swar Dharohar Festival” is being organized by the Union Ministry of Culture with the ‘Swar Dharohar Foundation’ from 2 -4 December 2022.
Swar Dharohar festival was inaugurated today by Chief Guest Mehtab Ali (Sitar Player) and Pt. Lalit Prasad (Classical Vocal). On the first day Classical Performance, Ghazal, Kavi Sammelan, Mushaira, Sufi Performance were organised.
Swar Dharohar foundation was founded by a group of young artists in 2006, with an aim of creating a safe space and a global platform for young and talented artist while at the same time popularising Indian Art, Music and its Heritage.
10. First Sylhet-Silchar Festival
Tags: Festivals State News
The first Sylhet-Silchar Festival to celebrate the close cultural ties between the neighbouring regions of India and Bangladesh began on December 2, 2022 in Assam's Barak Valley.
Important facts
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister AK Abdul Momen led a delegation of around 75 members to participate in the two-day event.
The festival is being organised by the 'India Foundation' in association with the 'Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies' under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture.
The objective of the festival is to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.
The event is being organised to commemorate 75 years of India's independence and 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's liberation from Pakistan.
Sylhet is located in north-east Bangladesh.
About Sylhet-Silchar Festival
2022 is the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
Among the many similarities between India and Bangladesh, there are significant links between the cities of Silchar and Sylhet.
To celebrate the age-old people-to-people connect of the region, the India Foundation proposes to organise the first Silchar-Sylhet Festival on December 2-4, 2022, in Silchar city of Assam.
The festival aims to revive the common values and shared heritage of both the cities and their people separated by international boundaries.
The festival will showcase tribal culture, cuisine, literature, arts and crafts.
About Barak Valley
The Barak Valley is located in the southern region of Assam. The main city of the valley is Silchar.
The region is named after the Barak river. The Barak valley mainly consists of three administrative districts of Assam - Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi.
