Tamil Nadu government announces Rs 1000, rice and sugar to ration holders on the occasion of Pongal

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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.